With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Say Hello To The Tokyo Olympic Robots
A Field Support Robot was used to retrieve rugby balls on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium. Over the weekend, the FSR will help during track and field events.
Who's a good boy at the Olympics?
The Field Support Robot is a good boy!
The black-and-white high-tech contraption made its debut earlier this week as one of a handful of robots designed to streamline the Tokyo Olympic Games. And it can be seen again — essentially playing fetch — during the track and field throwing events over the weekend.
The International Olympics Committee says the self-driving robot is able to suss out the "optimal path" to follow when it's chasing after hammers, javelins and all manner of objects thrown by athletes.
Sponsor
"This will help reduce both the amount of time needed to retrieve items and the amount of human support required at events," the IOC explained.
Toyota Motor Corp. designed mascot robots Miraitowa and Someity to help welcome visitors to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(
/ NurPhoto via Getty Images
)
Other robots that have been designed and put to work in a partnership between the Games organizers and Toyota include Miraitowa and Someity. The blue and pink cartoon-looking robots are the official Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics mascots.
They were intended to serve as futuristic ambassadors to the public, as welcoming hosts who shake hands and wave, but that part of their job has been severely diminished during the spectator-free events.
Similarly, human and delivery support robots, which look like a fancier and taller Wall-e, were developed to make the Games more comfortable. They are providing assistance to spectators in wheelchairs at the Olympic Stadium by carrying food and other items, guiding people to their seats, and providing event information.
"The Tokyo 2020 Games are a unique opportunity for us to display Japanese robot technology," said Hirohisa Hirukawa, leader of the Tokyo 2020 Robot Project.
He added that the project will showcase the practical and real-life benefits of such machines.
Sponsor
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
