Right off the bat, when you hear “robot,” what do you imagine? As a Toyota Times reader, perhaps you imagine a big arm that assembles car parts? Or maybe a robot vacuum for the home?

These days, robots are active in many fields, and at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, or the Miraikan, located in Tokyo’s Odaiba, Koto City in November 2023, they unveiled a partner robot* named Keparan that was developed by Toyota. Not only does Keparan use its 34 motorized joints to dance smoothly, but it also recognizes people and objects, changing its expressions and entertaining visitors.

^{*Using industrial robot technology, with the concept of supporting human life activities and living in harmony with people, these robots support people with physical disabilities and older adults. Toyota is involved in research in this field.}

Toyota has already made robot versions of the official characters for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Miraitowa and Someity. It began the Tommy Project in June 2023, aimed at exploring the possibilities of communication between people and robots.

Yuta Tomikawa went to learn about the project, but he ended up being interviewed instead. Then, he had devices attached to his arms and head and visited a kindergarten in Aichi Prefecture. What is happening on the cutting edge of robot development?

Miraikan Chief Executive Director Chieko Asakawa and Toyota Frontier Research Center President Nobuhiko Koga are guests on this episode, talking about the future of robots. Within their discussion was something connected to Toyota’s aims as a mobility company.

Chairman Akio Toyoda always talks about how cars are a beloved machine. Robots made by Toyota could also become our companions someday. This week’s Toyota Times News imagines a future like the one depicted in science fiction comic books. Be sure to watch to the end!