[VIDEO] Watch This Humanoid Construction Robot Hang Drywall

Japan's Institute of Advanced Industrial Science demonstrates a prototype doing work that Oxford University predicted in 2013 is 79% likely to be computerized

Japan’s Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, or AIST, developed a humanoid robot that can carry out simple construction tasks such as installing drywall autonomously to replace human labor where there are shortages or work in dangerous environments.

Several robotics-intelligence technologies allow the 220-lb. robot, designated HRP-5P, to carry out a number of heavy tasks on its own:

  • environmental measurement
  • object recognition
  • whole-body motion planning
  • control technology
  • task description
  • execution management
  • high reliability systemization

Using HRP-5P as a development platform to facilitate industry/academia collaboration, AIST expects development of practical humanoid robots in building construction and assembly of large structures such as aircraft and ships to accelerate.

Coverage of HRP-5P at TheVerge.com refers to a 2013 Oxford University study that quantifies the likelihood of job automation estimating that the job of “Drywall Installer” at a 79% chance of being digitized. It’s worth noting that the same study also assigns a 79% chance of robotic competition for flooring work and more, including:

  • Brickmasons -- 82%
  • Mason tenders -- 83%
  • Steelworkers -- 83%
  • Insulation workers -- 83%
  • Paving, surfacing and tamping operators -- 83%
  • Plasterers and stucco masons -- 84%
  • Highway maintenance workers -- 87%
  • Construction laborers -- 88%
  • Reinforcing iron and rebar workers -- 90%

AIST prioritizes development of robots because Japan’s declining birthrate is expected to result in extreme labor shortages. The human-like robot is considered an important arm of this development, as assembling large structures such as buildings and aircraft or ships has resisted application of today’s commercial robots because a construction work environment can’t be tailored to the robot’s abilities. Humanoid robots, with a body structure similar to human beings, can substitute for human work without changing the environment.

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