The humanoid robot has two arms that are capable of carrying objects up to 40kg in weight
The robot is mounted on a truck that can drive on rails to cut down trees or remove other obstacles on the railway, paint assets and replace or repair signalling equipment.
An operator controls the machine from inside the truck using a virtual reality (VR) goggle headset connected to cameras on the robot.
When the operator turns their head, the robot also turns its head and levers are used for the operator to feel the weight of objects lifted by the robot.
Humanoid robot will improve workplace safety
West Japan Railways company president Kazuaki Hasegawa said: “In the future, we hope to use machines for all kinds of maintenance operations of our infrastructure.
“Mechanisation will contribute greatly to the goal of eliminating workplace accidents caused by electric shock or falls and will also lead to improved safety.”
The robot was developed in partnership with robotics developer Jinki Ittai Co and Nippon Signal Co, an infrastructure electricals firm.
