Toyota has unveiled T-HR3, the company’s third generation humanoid robot. T-HR3 is an an evolution from previous generation instrument-playing humanoid robots, which were created to test the precise positioning of joints and pre-programmed movements, to a platform with capabilities that can assist humans, said the company in a statement. The robot can work at home, medical facilities, construction sites, disaster-stricken areas and even outer space, according to Toyota.

T-HR3 is controlled from a Master Maneuvering System that allows the entire body of the robot to be operated  with wearable controls that map hand, arm and foot movements to the robot, and a head-mounted display. The system’s master arms give the operator range of motion of the robot’s corresponding joints, and the master foot allows the operator to walk in place in the chair to move the robot forward or laterally.

Onboard T-HR3 and the Master Maneuvering System, motors, reduction gears and torque sensors (collectively called Torque Servo Modules) are connected to each joint. A self-interference prevention technology embedded in T-HR3 operates automatically to ensure the robot and user do not disrupt each other’s movements, says Toyota.

[Image courtesy: Toyota]