In Japan, Robots Tackle the Dirty Work

As workforce shrinks, machines gain favor over immigrants

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 30, 2007 12:13 PM CST

(Newser) – With the birthrate sinking and the government showing no inclination to loosen immigration restrictions, Japanese businesses are turning to science for help with the impending worker shortage. The London Times visits a Tokyo exhibition that showcases the possible answer: robots. "Robots do the D-work"--dirty, dangerous, and difficult--"that Japanese shy away from," one proponent says.

Japan would need to admit 500,000 immigrants a year to keep its workforce steady, but the country has shown little interest. Instead, it's frenetically investing in the versatile machines. They perform jobs that until now have been done by humans--a waiter in a bow tie offers menu suggestions, while the Lady Bird takes on the unsavory chore of cleaning highway rest stop bathrooms.

A humanoid robot, without its facial skin, is displayed at Japan's largest robot convention in Tokyo Wednesday Nov. 28, 2007. The life-size dental training robot, dubbed Simroid for "simulator humanoid,"... (Associated Press)

The Child-Robot with Biomimetic Body, or CB2, kicks its leg when Tomoyuki Noda, right, an Osaka University student, speaks to it during a demonstration of the toddler robot at a lab of the university... (Associated Press)

A robot on a bicycle named "Murataseisaku-kun" developed by Murata Manufacturing Co., pedals up a slope while balancing at the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies, or CEATEC Japan 2007 at Makuhari... (Associated Press)

Tomotaka Takahashi of Japan, a robot creator, watches as Chroino goes through his motions at WIRED NextFest Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, in the Los Angeles Convention Center. WIRED NextFest is a gathering... (Associated Press)

A Japanese man reacts as the humanoid robot baby he is holding begins to cry at Japan's largest robot convention in Tokyo Wednesday Nov. 28, 2007. The "Real Care Babies," which cry if they are not treated... (Associated Press)

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As workforce shrinks, machines gain favor over immigrants

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As workforce shrinks, machines gain favor over immigrants

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US Sending Robots to Fukushima

Radiation-hardened robots to assist at stricken plant

I, Robot, Now Pronounce You Husband and Wife

Creepy. Creepy. Creepy.

Mini Japanese Robot Preps for Ironman Triathlon

Evolta has already climbed Grand Canyon

Japan Has Robots All Over —Except at Nuke Plant

Humans are still being asked to risk their lives

Robonaut Joining Space Station Crew

'A giant leap forward for tinmankind'

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Newser By Users

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