Quick News

Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry and the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry have presented a draft road map stipulating the start of flying cars’ practical use in the 2020s.
According to the draft, shown to a public-private council meeting last week, necessary technologies and regulations will be developed by the middle of the 2020s and flying cars will be used to carry people and goods on remote islands and in mountainous areas. Their use for human transportation in urban areas is set to start in the 2030s.
At the meeting, some members |suggested that flying cars be put into first-aid and disaster response operations after their safety is secured. – Jiji Press 

Robot takes the wheel, brakes for pedestrian
A humanoid robot drove a car in a demonstration event held last week in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. The Toyota city government and a University of Tokyo laboratory have been conducting research on developing a robot capable of driving a car. They developed a new robot named Musashi, which is about 1.6 metres tall and is able to move its fingers and toes. Cameras mounted in its eyes and sensors inside the body enable the robot to |recognise its own posture and detect |vibrations.
Those advanced features help Musashi drive in a manner closer to that of human beings, compared to previous robots. It is expected that the new technology will be utilised to develop prostheses for the disabled and driving assistance for the elderly, among other applications.
Musashi drove a small electric vehicle for about 20 metres at a nearly walking speed, steering the car smoothly. Visitors including students from a local elementary school were fascinated with the demonstration, especially when Musashi stopped the vehicle after recognising a pedestrian crossing the road ahead. – The Yomiuri Shimbun

Haidilao opens smart restaurant in Beijing
Haidilao, China’s biggest hotpot restaurant chain, recently unveiled its first smart hotpot restaurant in Beijing.
The kitchen, equipped with two rows of robotic arms, can automatically collect pre-packaged dishes from a cold storage. According to Haidiliao, the whole process, from placing an order to delivering food to customers, only takes two minutes in ideal condition.
Founded in Sichuan province by Zhang Yong 24 years ago, Haidilao now has 362 outlets in the country, as well as outlets in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and the US. – China Daily