The Human Support Robot (HSR) is Toyota's answer to the ever-increasing demand for long-term elderly care in societies like Japan. With its highly maneuverable, compact, and lightweight cylindrical body and folding arm, the HSR can pick objects up off the floor, retrieve objects from shelves, and perform a variety of other tasks.
With the goal of assisting independent home living for the elderly and disabled, Toyota is teaming up with a number of research institutes to found the HSR Developers' Community. This institute will put forth a cooperative effort to hasten the development and early practical adoption of the HSR.
In caring for your loved ones, artificial intelligence is not yet a substitute for human attentiveness. In addition to local, on-site operation, the HSR can be operated remotely by family and friends, with the operator's face and voice being relayed in real-time, allowing for real, human interaction while also being able to help with daily tasks. Since it was first announced in 2012, the HSR has undergone a number of improvements based on feedback from patients and healthcare workers.
Toyota will loan HSRs to partner organizations in Japan (primarily universities, research facilities, and businesses), who will then share their software development progress and newly gained knowhow throughout the community. Toyota will also aid research institutes in HSR testing by helping to find appropriate facilities for the tests along with other supportive efforts.
Initially, starting in September, the HSR Developers' Community will consist of Toyota and several other institutions already testing the HSR. The community hopes to increase membership by around 10 groups from April 2016 onward, with applications to join the first round of HSR Developers' Community recruitment being accepted from today. Research projects are expected to last for around two years, with the possibility of extension (pending mutual agreement).
