Panasonic is to begin its demonstration experiments with the Autonomous Delivery Robot, “HOSPI(R),” from mid-January 2017 at Narita International Airport Corporation and the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita.
HOSPI(R) is a robot that can deliver goods autonomously on behalf of humans.
Based on pre-programmed map information and using high performance sensors and advanced collision-avoidance algorithms, the robot can move about while staying aware of its surroundings, enabling it to deliver items safely and efficiently without colliding into people or various objects along its route.
Using this method means that, unlike traditional delivery systems, equipment does not need to be embedded into the walls or ceilings, and guide tapes do not have to be laid down along the route, so delivery destinations and layout changes to facilities may be easily made and at low cost.
HOSPI(R) has already been adopted by 4 hospitals in Japan and other countries for the delivery of pharmaceuticals and specimens.
In the demonstration experiments to be conducted, the robots will be retrieving used dishware in the airport lounge and offering drinks service in the hotel lobby.
Panasonic is hoping to verify the use of HOSPI(R) in performing other types of delivery services from the hospital ones and accelerating the commercial development of the HOSPI(R).
Here are the dates of the Demonstration Experiments
1. Drink service.
Period: Jan 14 (Sat) – 18 (Wed), 2017
Location: ANA Crowne Plaza Narita, 1F Lobby
Description: The robot will move around the lobby offering bottled beverages to hotel guests. It will also provide information about bus departures.
2. Dishware collection.
Period: Jan 23 (Mon) – 27 (Fri), 2017
Location: Narita International Airport, “Narita Travel Lounge”
Description: The robot will retrieve used dishware and deliver them to the relevant counter.
At the moment, there are no plans to introduce the HOSPI(R) to the Narita International Airport and the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita more permanently.
The number of robots trialed at airports (and ports) is increasing and includes:
- AnBot at Shenzhen Airport
- Airbot from LG, coming to Seoul
- ASIMO at Tokyo Narita
- Athena at Los Angeles
- EMIEW3 at Tokyo Haneda
- GLAdys at Glasgow
- Nao for Japan Airlines at Tokyo Haneda
- Leo at Geneva
- Norma, Amelia, and Piper at San Jose
- Pepper for EVA at Taipei
- ‘Sheldon’ at Indianapolis
- Spencer at Amsterdam Schiphol
- Unnamed at Seoul Incheon
- Zunpeng Xiaobao for Shenzhen Airlines
Our favourites still remain AnBot at Shenzhen Airport with the cattle prod and the Sheldon Cooper lookalike at Indianapolis. Pepper in Taipei is looking good.
N.B. Image credit: Panasonic
Internet links
Panasonic Autonomous Delivery Robots – HOSPI
