Robot bed transforms into wheelchair

Panasonic's new robotic bed transforms into a wheelchair, allowing the elderly or people with disabilities to get up without assistance. It's also perfect for very lazy people who just don't want to get up in the morning.

You can stay in the bed while it turns into a wheelchair. Half of the mattress rises and half lowers while a motorized unit beneath it automatically slides out from the bed.

In chair mode, the robot detects people and obstacles and helps users avoid collisions.

The bed's futuristic robotic canopy automatically rises when the unit transforms. It has a screen that acts as TV, controller for home appliances, and home security camera viewer.

Other new mobility solutions to help the aging Japanese population stay mobile include Rodem, an ergonomic electric wheelchair, Toyota's thought-controlled wheelchair, and the Hybrid Assistive Limb, a robotic power suit.

Panasonic is showing off its Robotic Bed this month at the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition 2009 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Batter up! Robot baseball takes a swing

It's good to see the recession in Japan hasn't killed robot research, even though many machines are now standing idle, as the New York Times reported recently.

The University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology has produced a pitcher and batter robot duo that quick and precise.

The pitcher machine can send the ball into the strike zone 90% of the time. The batter, meanwhile, uses imaging technology that captures 1,000 frames per second to enable it to connect to the ball.

All they need is uniforms and they'll be ready for the big leagues.

Giant robot comes to life at night

Pink Tentacle has some amazing shots of the recently built giant Gundam robot in Shiokaze Park in Tokyo's Odaiba. The 35-ton, 60-foot model robot marks the 30th anniversary of the popular Gundam franchise and can emit all sorts of nifty lights.

Autonomous mini car to go on sale

Tokyo-based robot venture firm ZMP, known for its slick-looking Nuvo robot, is putting a mini robot car on sale that can autonomously avoid obstacles in its path.

The car is about a tenth the size of a real car and will be sold for R&D applications starting this month for around $5,000 (about twice as much with the stylish shell). It has a CCD camera and an infrared laser system to detect obstacles. It can also be controlled with a remote, and runs for about an hour when fully charged.