Filed under: Etc., Japan, Technology, Toyota Robots are here to stay, and all signs point to there being more "everyday" mechanized friends that will specialize in doing different things for different people. In addition to its work on the Partner Robot, Toyota is developing a Human Support Robot (HSR) to assist the elderly at home. The cylindrical, 70-pound HSR can be controlled by voice, just like children and grandchildren, and will perform the tasks that children and grandchildren are most handy for, such as picking things up, retrieving items from shelves and opening curtains. The HSR can also be guided by tablet computer. It's not meant for heavy lifting on the double-quick, though, and we mean that literally - maximum speed is 3 km/h - 1.86 mph - and burdens can't exceed 2.6 pounds. Created in cooperation with the Japan Service Dog Association, the HSC underwent home trials last year and will be introduced to the public in prototype form at the Forefront of the Development of Home Care and Rehabilitation Equipment show in Tokyo this week. More testing is planned in order to enhance its safety and practicality for at-home duties before it joins the mechanized robotic regiments headed our way. A press release below will help you get ready for your domestic laser-eyed killers helpers.Continue reading Toyota developing Asimo rival for the disabled Toyota developing Asimo rival for the disabled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Read More...