| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
advertisement | ||
Saturday May 20, 10:08 AMSafety guidelines to be set for next-generation robots(Kyodo) _ Japan's industry ministry plans to compile safety guidelines for next-generation robots as they will be providing services in the future in areas like nursing, security and cleaning, ministry officials said Saturday.The guidelines will require manufacturers to install enough sensors to minimize the risk of the robots running into people and use soft and light materials so they do not cause harm if they do so, the officials said. They will also be required to install emergency shut-off buttons, they said. Calls have been mounting for safety guidelines on the next-generation robots as they may be used for various purposes because of possible labor shortage due to Japan's sharp population decline. While safety guidelines are set under the Occupation Health and Safety Law for the current generation of robots, which are typically used on factory production lines, there is the opinion that different guidelines are necessary for the advanced models. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to complete the guidelines by the end of the year, the officials said. It expects robot makers will develop specifications under the guidelines through consultations with users at hospitals, event sites and other areas, they added. The ministry will also consider establishing an independent organization to conduct safety tests on robots and legal systems to provide insurance in case of accidents. Moves to set up safety guidelines for advanced robots are currently being undertaken in countries such as the United States, Europe and South Korea. There are also efforts under way to create global guidelines. The ministry plans to have its measures reflect the global standards, the officials said. |
|||
|
2005 Kyodo News © Established 1945. All Rights Reserved.
|