Taizo, Robot of Gymnastics Instructor

This news is about fitness. Fitness is important. Especially it is for the elderly people. The sport is necessary to keep the body of an old disease and bone loss. A common exercise is done by gymnastics seniors groups. But, for grandparents who want to practice gymnastics themselves, now there are readily available solutions. The way out was a gymnastics instructor robot named Taizo. Thanks to the humanoid robot, anyone can have a personal gym instructor in the house.

National Institute of Industrial Technology Research Institute (AIST), General Robotics Ltd.., Prefectural Ibaraki Health Plaza, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) demonstrated Taizo on September 10, 2009. Taizo derived from the word “Taisou” which means moving the body in the form of the cute robot 72 centimeters tall. Taizo has a round head with a cheerful smile on his face. Taizo had 26 points DOF (degree of freedom) and able to demonstrate approximately 30 motion exercises. Because of its function as a gymnastics instructor for the elderly, most of the movement is controlled Taizo gymnastics movements performed while sitting. For example, it is the movement of the shoulders and waist. However, Taizo still can demonstrate some other movements while standing.

With lithium polymer battery-powered, Taizo can guide the exercises for two hours straight. To further improve the function as a gymnastics instructor, the producer equips Taizo with the function of speech recognition grammar description of the robot. Thus, Taizo is able to understand some simple commands and lead the group gymnastics. Linux operating system robot can be controlled via infrared remote control. Taizo also features local computer networks, LAN (local area network) either with or without cable, and Bluetooth applications. Taizo still continue to be improved. The robot went on sale next year for JPY 800 thousand or approximately 85 million Rupiah.