Robot Design and Environment Design - Waseda Robot-House Project

Abstract

The robot technology for human-robot symbiosis including robot adaptability to human and environment, which is urgently required in the rapidly aging society, is unfortunately yet to advance. This is because conventional robotics research has focused solely on the advanced function of the robot itself. We should establish the system by integrating robot technology and environments, especially the structures and functions of the houses and facilities. Based on this concept, robotics engineers, architects, IT researchers and fine artists in Waseda University take part in the WABOT-HOUSE (WAseda roBOT HOUSE) project, and we try to design an optimal system from robotic and architectural points of view to realize the truly practical symbiosis between human and robots. In this paper, I will introduce the project "WABOT-HOUSE", robots in WABOT-HOUSE including humanoid robots, design of a structured environment, and a contribution to the growth of the robotics industry by means of the collaboration with small & medium-sized companies and the development of active system-integrators.