On April 1st, METI has announced a public offer inviting companies, universities and research institutes to take part in a demonstrative field project concerning robot-technologies to deal with disasters. For this purpose it has set up the so-called ‘Fukushima Hamadori Robotics Demonstrative Area’ in disaster stricken Fukushima Prefecture.
Foreign companies and institutions with advanced technologies are also invited to tender for his project and test their technologies through demonstrative experiments.
Background
Robotics have already entered a broad spectrum of fields such as industrial production, medical care, agriculture and construction. In the area of robot technologies used outside for disasters and checking of infrastructure, while the expectations are high, the technological application is still under development. To support and speed up this practical development, the need for a base where these technologies can be tested is seen as needed.
As part of the government ‘New Robotics Strategy’ the Fukushima Hamadori Robotics Demonstrative Area’ is being established. Starting April 1st, METI and the Cabinet Office have jointly set up a new office for this project in Fukushima.
Fukushima Hamadori Robotics Demonstrative Area
In this project, companies, universities and research facilities involved in the R&D of field robots for investigating infrastructure and robots used for disasters are given the opportunity to use bridges, tunnels, dams, rivers and open spaces within Fukushima as locations for empirical experiments.
Application guidelines
Application period: April 1st, 2015 – May 30th 2015 (First period)
*Matching and empirical experiments will take place from April 1st onwards upon request. A second period of application is expected after May 30th.
Eligibility: Companies, universities and research facilities that wish to do empirical experiments at bridges, tunnels, dams, rivers and open spaces.
(JTPP Helpdesk has checked with the office that foreign companies can participate as well.)
How to apply
The application form (In Japanese) is available here. (Let us know if you need our assistance with it).
Mail-address for inquiries and applications: robot-hamadori@meti.go.jp
Inquiries:
Fukushima Prefecture
Mr. Anzai, Planning and Coordination Dept. +81(0)24-521-7129
Mr. Hayashi Industrial creation section +81(0)24-521-7283
Cabinet Office
Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, Nuclear Emergency Victims’ Support Team
Mr. Toyoda, Mr. Mukai +81(0)3-5545-7496
Sources:
http://www.meti.go.jp/press/2015/04/20150401002/20150401002.html
http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal/roboto-jissyou-koubo.html