tagged w/ Robot Nation
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A Japanese robot research centre unveils a futuristic and rider-friendly wheelchair for the nation's growing elderly population.
For more news video by Current TV visit http://current.com/A Japanese robot research centre unveils a futuristic and rider-friendly wheelchair... more
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On my long transatlantic flight this week, I managed to catch up on a movie I'd been meaning to see for some time. It usually takes flying to force me to commit to watching anything on the screen for more than 20 minutes. So between a couple short naps I finally watched Transformers 2. Though the movie was lame, I'd been reminded of how much I loved the Transformers as a kid. I grew up wanting to be an evil Decepticon who wreaked havoc on humankind. (Just seemed more fun than to be a friendly Autobot.)
So I guess it was my childhood fascination with cartoon robots that fueled my interest in the idea of a robot takeover of Japan. And while that is far from being an even exaggerated reality, we're surely seeing a growing number of them pop up in Japan. For a number of reasons Japan's population is in decline: xenophobia, women are choosing to pursue careers and saying no to marriage, the Japanese aren't having sex (no explanation).
And so, robots seem to be the solution -- in a very odd Japanese way -- to the shrinking workforce that's threatening Japan's economic vitality.
Since I did my story in Japan there's been a slew of new robots, including a robot fashion model, scary horror movie child robots, jumping robots, even a sex robot (you can google that one on your own). How these robots --except perhaps the last one -- address population decline, I'm not sure. But they're fun distractions I suppose. Perhaps they're not alone, though...because now, we're starting to see robots invade other nations. This just might be the oddest one yet. Enter the shopping mall robot guide in the UAE.
Japan: Robot Nation (Video)
Recently on the Vanguard Blog:
- Why Should You Trust Us? - Mitch Koss
- My Second Tour of Sri Lanka - Mariana van Zeller
- Chinese Mobsters and Megacities - Joanne Shen
- The world: A dangerous place for do-gooders - Kaj Larsen
- The world: A dangerous place for reporters - Darren Foster
- Sometimes that which seemed impossible actually comes to pass - Mitch KossOn my long transatlantic flight this week, I managed to catch up on a movie I'd... more
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One of our favorite blogs FP Passport points us to this story out of the Telegraph about the increasingly popular Japanese practice of hiring actors to portray your friends on your birthdays and wedding day.
Agencies such as Hagemashi Tai - which means "I want to cheer you up" - charge around £100 for each "guest". Other services such as giving a speech in praise of a bride or the groom cost extra.
With their ever-busy lives, young Japanese people find it difficult to find time to socialize. As Vanguard's Adam Yamaguchi reported in Japan: Robot Nation, this problem extends beyond just big days of celebration to the problem of actually finding a mate. Many in Japan think this is a big factor in low reproduction rates. Much like for weddings, Adam found out (first hand) that you could also buy friends just for some easy (no sex!) companionship.
Vanguard on Japan's Host Business
Also to watch:
- Another excerpt: Vanguard on Japan's Robot Labor
- The whole show: Japan: Robot NationOne of our favorite blogs FP Passport points us to this story out of the Telegraph... more
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Well, it's 2010 and according to Toyota we should have robots in the form of Asimo (Toyota's robot helper in the picture) and others to make us cups of tea, bring us breakfast in bed or whatever other menial tasks we require of them. I can see how that would be helpful for lazy sundays etc. but what about the declining population situation Japan are facing where they very soon may need to rely on Robots to make up a huge percentage of their workforce and even have them as lovers. Check out the link to Japan: Robot Nation below to Currents in depth look at the future of Robots in Japan.Well, it's 2010 and according to Toyota we should have robots in the form of... more
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Women in Japan have lots of disposable income. This is one way they like to spend it --- by getting waited on by butlers.Women in Japan have lots of disposable income. This is one way they like to spend it... more
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Japan, the world's second largest economy, is facing a demographic crisis that will shrink the population dramatically. The Japanese aren't having babies, and the country won't accept immigrants to help bolster the population. But Japan may have a unique solution --- Robots!Japan, the world's second largest economy, is facing a demographic crisis that... more
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