Toyota Human Support Robot (HSR) — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Toyota |
|---|---|
| Model | Human Support Robot (HSR) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Category | Elderly Care, Companion |
| Autonomy | semi-autonomous |
| Environment | indoor |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Ethernet |
| Country of origin | JP |
Key features
- Compact cylindrical design
- Folding arm for versatile tasks
- Highly maneuverable base
- Semi-autonomous operation
- Assists with object retrieval
- Developed for home environments
- Part of HSR Developers' Community
What is it?
The Toyota Human Support Robot (HSR) is a semi-autonomous assistive robot designed to aid individuals with limited mobility in performing daily tasks within their homes. Launched in 2012, the HSR features a compact, cylindrical body with a folding arm capable of picking up objects from the floor, retrieving items from shelves, and opening curtains. Operable via voice commands or a tablet PC, it ensures user safety by generating minimal force during operations. (global.toyota)
Who is it for?
The HSR is intended for elderly individuals and those with physical disabilities who require assistance with daily activities. Its design aims to support independent living by helping users perform tasks such as retrieving objects, opening curtains, and other household chores. (global.toyota)
Key specs
- Height: Adjustable between 100.5 cm and 135 cm
- Weight: Approximately 37 kg
- Body diameter: 430 mm
- Arm length: Approximately 600 mm
- Maximum speed: 0.22 m/s
- Payload capacity: Up to 1.2 kg (objects up to 130 mm wide)
- Autonomy: Semi-autonomous
- Control methods: Voice commands, tablet PC, or remote operation
- Sensing capabilities: Lidar, stereo cameras, and force sensors
- Launch year: 2012
How it compares
The HSR competes with other assistive robots like the Robear by RIKEN and the Pepper robot by SoftBank Robotics.
- Robear:
- Purpose: Designed for lifting and transferring patients in healthcare settings
- Features: Equipped with a bear-like appearance and advanced sensors for patient handling
- Limitations: Primarily intended for medical environments, not suitable for home use
- Pepper:
- Purpose: Developed as a social robot for customer service and companionship
- Features: Interactive touch screen, voice recognition, and internet connectivity
- Limitations: Lacks specialized capabilities for assisting with physical tasks in the home
In contrast, the HSR is specifically tailored for home environments, focusing on tasks like object retrieval and household assistance, making it more suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.
Limitations
- Payload capacity: Limited to objects up to 1.2 kg, restricting the range of items it can handle
- Speed: Maximum speed of 0.22 m/s may be insufficient for time-sensitive tasks
- Autonomy: Semi-autonomous operation requires user intervention for certain tasks
- Availability: As a prototype, the HSR may not be widely available for consumer use
- Cost: Development and production costs may limit affordability for some users
These limitations highlight areas for improvement in future iterations of assistive robots.
FAQ
What tasks can the Toyota HSR perform?
The Toyota HSR is designed to assist with tasks such as retrieving objects from shelves and picking items up from the floor, aiding individuals with limited mobility in daily activities. ([global.toyota](https://global.toyota/en/detail/8709541?utm_source=openai))
Is the Toyota HSR available for purchase?
The Toyota HSR is primarily intended for research and development purposes, with limited commercial availability. Specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed. ([global.toyota](https://global.toyota/en/detail/8709541?utm_source=openai))
How does the Toyota HSR navigate indoor spaces?
The Toyota HSR features a compact, cylindrical design and a highly maneuverable base, enabling it to navigate tight spaces and perform tasks in various home environments. ([global.toyota](https://global.toyota/en/detail/8709541?utm_source=openai))
What is the HSR Developers' Community?
Established in 2015, the HSR Developers' Community is a collaboration between Toyota and research institutes aimed at enhancing the robot's capabilities and promoting its integration into daily life. ([global.toyota](https://global.toyota/en/detail/8709541?utm_source=openai))
When was the Toyota HSR introduced?
The Toyota Human Support Robot (HSR) was introduced in 2012 as a semi-autonomous indoor robot designed to assist individuals with limited mobility in daily tasks. ([global.toyota](https://global.toyota/en/detail/8709541?utm_source=openai))