We have developed a functional material with a surface adhesive property that surface can be changed according to applied electric field. In light of theoretical elucidation of the electro-adhesive mechanism and the performance evaluation in vacuum, we are currently engaged in a broad-based effort that ranges from basic research to its applications, such as use in tactile displays.

To add intelligence to machine tools, a sensor-less machining force monitoring method is developed. Based on this method, a novel machining technology is also proposed. We will present the technology together with actual demonstrations.

Master-slave teleoperation robots have been developed for operation in extreme environments inaccessible to humans. Bilateral control is one of the control methods for teleoperation robots, and using bilateral control, these robots can transmit force sensation from the slave side to the master side. Therefore, bilateral control has a variety of applications, such as medical robots, which require micro-sized movement.

Supporting heightened human activity and reducing energy consumption are typically held to be mutually conflicting goals. As a means of achieving both simultaneously, we have developed a spatiotemporal sensory transmission technology and system for real-time transmission of combined visual, audio, touch and other sensory information from the real world. We would like you to come to our exhibit and directly experience sensory perceptions and actions via this new Tele-mobility system.

Control systems for devices and equipment that support human body motion, which have become a strong and growing focus of interest, require new system design strategies that take advanced human operational capabilities and safety into full consideration. From this perspective, we propose a new design concept for the control systems of electrical wheelchair power assists, safe driving support systems for electric vehicles, and remote assistance systems.

We have achieved agile four-wheel maneuverability through the combination of four wheel modules, characterized by independent movement and cooperative operation, which are capable of spot rotation and other omnidirectional maneuvers. It is expected to bring heightened and unprecedented mobility as well as improved capability for maneuvers involving direction change and transverse movement in constricted spaces, not only in passenger cars but also in mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and other types of vehicles.