On April 1st, METI has announced a public offer inviting companies, universities and research institutes to take part in a demonstrative field project concerning robot-technologies to deal with disasters. For this purpose it has set up the so-called ‘Fukushima Hamadori Robotics Demonstrative Area’ in disaster stricken Fukushima Prefecture.

Foreign companies and institutions with advanced technologies are also invited to tender for his project and test their technologies through demonstrative experiments. 

Background

 Robotics have already entered a broad spectrum of fields such as industrial production, medical care, agriculture and construction.  In the area of robot technologies used outside for disasters and checking of infrastructure, while the expectations are high, the technological application is still under development.  To support and speed up this practical development, the need for a base where these technologies can be tested is seen as needed.

As part of the government ‘New Robotics Strategy’ the Fukushima Hamadori Robotics Demonstrative Area’ is being established. Starting April 1^st, METI and the Cabinet Office have jointly set up a new office for this project in Fukushima.

Fukushima Hamadori Robotics Demonstrative Area

 In this project, companies, universities and research facilities involved in the R&D of field robots for investigating infrastructure and robots used for disasters are given the opportunity to use bridges, tunnels, dams, rivers and open spaces within Fukushima as locations for empirical experiments.

Application guidelines

Application period: April 1^st, 2015 – May 30^th 2015 (First period)

*Matching and empirical experiments will take place from April 1^st onwards upon request. A second period of application is expected after May 30^th.

Eligibility: Companies, universities and research facilities that wish to do empirical experiments at bridges, tunnels, dams, rivers and open spaces.

(JTPP Helpdesk has checked with the office that foreign companies can participate as well.)

How to apply

The application form (In Japanese) is available here. (Let us know if you need our assistance with it).

Mail-address for inquiries and applications: robot-hamadori@meti.go.jp

Inquiries:

Fukushima Prefecture

Mr. Anzai, Planning and Coordination Dept.  +81(0)24-521-7129

Mr. Hayashi Industrial creation section +81(0)24-521-7283

Cabinet Office

Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, Nuclear Emergency Victims’ Support Team

Mr. Toyoda, Mr. Mukai +81(0)3-5545-7496

Sources:

http://www.meti.go.jp/press/2015/04/20150401002/20150401002.html

http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal/roboto-jissyou-koubo.html