Photo: Toyota
As much as we love cars and enjoy writing about them, it comes a time when it's impossible not to appreciate what a car brand is doing besides building automobiles.
Take Toyota, for example, who recently announced they are stepping on the gas with the development of a robot that can perform tasks around the house to help elderly and disabled people lead independent lives.
OK, but where are the cars in this, you might ask. There are no cars involved, but you don't see that very often and we think such initiatives are worth our attention. Going by the name of HSR (Human Support Robot), the gizmo might not be as attractive and charismatic like Kirobo, but it does its job whenever needed.
For compact size and increased maneuverability, HSR is built around a lightweight, cylindrical body and has a folding arm as its 'weapon of choice'.
It can pick up objects off the floor - as long as they are not heavier than 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) and wider than 130 mm - and reach things down from shelves while being able to perform other tasks.
One such task is moving over surfaces with height difference up to 5 mm and inclines up to 5 degrees. That's a shy attempt at offroading, but still useful for the 37-kilo (81.5 lbs) robot and those who need its services.
Despite the HSR program being announced in 2012, developments expanded until present day because Toyota put the robot through a series of improvements based on feedback from patients and healthcare workers.
OK, but where are the cars in this, you might ask. There are no cars involved, but you don't see that very often and we think such initiatives are worth our attention. Going by the name of HSR (Human Support Robot), the gizmo might not be as attractive and charismatic like Kirobo, but it does its job whenever needed.
For compact size and increased maneuverability, HSR is built around a lightweight, cylindrical body and has a folding arm as its 'weapon of choice'.
It can pick up objects off the floor - as long as they are not heavier than 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) and wider than 130 mm - and reach things down from shelves while being able to perform other tasks.
One such task is moving over surfaces with height difference up to 5 mm and inclines up to 5 degrees. That's a shy attempt at offroading, but still useful for the 37-kilo (81.5 lbs) robot and those who need its services.
Despite the HSR program being announced in 2012, developments expanded until present day because Toyota put the robot through a series of improvements based on feedback from patients and healthcare workers.
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