Japan's preoccupation with consumer robots is largely driven by economic imperatives. It has an aging population, declining birthrates and a looming labor shortage, which means that the development of a standard robot platform could simply be a matter of time. However, despite its growing popularity in robotics, Linux cannot yet claim victory.
Linux is poised to claim a major victory: the bourgeoning market for robot software. The battle is not over yet, but if developments in Japan are any indication, Linux will rule the world of robots . The stakes are high. Carmaker Honda believes that robots will become its most important business. If Honda and other proponents are correct, the size of the robotics industry could end up overtaking the PC industry. Japan has suffered from the longest economic slump ever, but this has not stopped the country's industrial giants from investing millions in developing consumer robots. Eye-catching robots like Sony's (NYSE: SNE) Aibo and Honda's Asimo have grabbed most of the headlines, but Japanese companies are developing practical robots that will be cheap, convenient and ubiquitous -- and they will be powered by Linux. Early next year, Japanese electronics maker Sanyo will launch "Hopis," a medical robot designed for the consumer market. Hopis looks like a toy but is packed with electronics -- a speech synthesizer, a digital thermometer, a tonometer to diagnose eye disease, a glucose meter for diabetics and various other sensors. As an on-site doctor's assistant, Hopis will be able to question patients in detail and send the answers to a medical center using its built-in wireless Internet connection. Sanyo believes Hopis will appeal to a broad market, including nursing homes, elderly people living alone and people living in remote areas, among others. The company has not released a price, but mass production could make Hopis a consumer item like a TV set or washing machine. "A robot in every house" seems now to be the battle cry of the Japanese industry. Japan's preoccupation with consumer robots is largely driven by economic imperatives. It has an aging population, declining birthrates and a looming labor shortage. Equally important, Korea and China are undermining Japan's traditional industries, especially consumer electronics and household appliances. Japanese companies are under severe pressure to develop new products. Source: Linux News
