Japan Shows Rail-Mounted Humanoid Robot With Chainsaw Clearing Tree Branches

Japan's ANN News recently showed a rail-truck-mounted humanoid robot with a chainsaw arm clearing tree branches that had begun to impede rail tracks. The machine is used by Japanese railway firm JR East, and its chainsaw and grabber arms are remotely controlled by a human in this instance. JR East is broadly integrating AI and robotic technologies across its operations to enhance safety, efficiency and round-the-clock maintenance.

Robot clearing branches near tracks

The unnamed heavy machinery robot was shown cutting down tree branches from its mount on a rail truck. JR East is turning to robots like this because of labor shortages, and operating one requires some skill, as does chainsaw work at height.

AI could make it autonomous

In the future, the robot could become autonomous with AI-based image analysis for recognizing rail obstructions that need to be addressed. JR East has a reputation for aggressive AI adoption, including company-wide AI tools, designing AI programs for disaster recovery, and using drones equipped with AI image analysis for rail infrastructure inspections.

Rail maintenance and operations

JR East is the largest passenger railway operator in Japan. It is famous for running the northern Shinkansen bullet train routes, but also earns revenue from shopping centers, hotels, smart cards and more. According to Tom's Hardware, the chainsaw mech has been available to JR East engineers since March, and the TV crew took the opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of the heavy machinery in action.

Daytime work and safety

There has also been a recent shift in rail building and maintenance work to the daytime, despite some inconvenience to customers, to the benefit of workers and safety. Perhaps that is why the video of the chainsaw-wielding truck-mounted robot appeared for the first time. The combination of labor shortages and advances in robotics and AI makes development of this kind of rail maintenance robot seem very timely, and if the metallic humanoid can be made autonomous, it could save a lot of labor and promote safety.

Sources: Tom's Hardware