Toda Corporation / Construction of stable communication environment for robots and people to ride together in office elevators
Image of installing the system in the elevator shaft (from the press release)
Toda Corporation is focusing on proposals for creating a "robot-friendly" office space where service robots and people coexist. As part of this, we have applied our proprietary communication system, which enables the construction of a stable communication network even on high-rise floors, to the use of elevators. Robots are controlled through wireless LAN radio waves to create an environment in which they can coexist with humans. We plan to conduct a demonstration experiment at our own facility in the near future. Based on customer needs, we are looking to develop other applications in the future.
The communication system "Waveguide LAN System" was jointly developed with Furuno Electric (Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, President Yukio Furuno). A wireless communication environment is constructed by connecting a single pipe and an antenna unit that emits radio waves. By passing a single pipe pipe through a vertical space such as a pipe shaft and connecting an access point for relay, expansion to the upper floors becomes easy.
The system was introduced on a trial basis at construction sites, etc., and the effect was confirmed, so it was decided to apply it to the use of elevators. There is a technology in which an elevator and a robot work together to enter through a door and get off at a designated floor, but while the door is closed, it cannot be controlled due to radio wave conditions, making riding with people a risk.
The developed communication system can be installed in the elevator shaft at low cost. Delivering stable radio waves in the elevator to realize "robot and human riding together". It is planned to be installed in "TODA BUILDING" under construction in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. We aim to realize a new style of coexistence between robots and humans, not limited to the use of maintenance work.
The company is participating in the "Robot Friendly Facility Promotion Organization" launched in September last year with the aim of transforming the facility environment into one that is easy to introduce robots. There are more than 30 regular members, including general contractors Taisei Corporation, Shimizu Corporation, and Takenaka Corporation. The aim is to create guidelines for robots and people to ride together, and Toda Corporation will contribute by proposing its own technology in collaboration with member companies.
