The Humanoid Robotics Project (HRP) is a project for development of general domestic helper robots, sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), spearheaded by Kawada Industries and supported by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Inc. The HRP series also goes by the name Promet. The HRP should not be confused with the HOAP series (Humanoid for Open Architecture Platform), which is manufactured by Fujitsu.
Features and technology The project started with three Honda P3 which were bought from Honda. And, the project developed them as the HRP-1 with original features, such as telecommand system.
An interesting feature HRP-2 has is the ability to stand up again after lying flat on the floor, either on its back or front—something Honda's ASIMO is not able to do.
AIST and Kawada Industries have also revealed the HRP-4 bipedal humanoid. The HRP-4 stands 150 cm (5′) tall and weighs 39 kg (86 lbs).
Kawada Industries has also developed the NEXTAGE system, envisioned as a production robot that works alongside human workers. The NEXTAGE not a biped but consists of a torso and arms on a fixed base.
Specifications Honda P3(1997) HRP-1 (1997) HRP-2P (1998) HRP-2 Promet(2002) HRP-3P(2005) HRP-3 Promet MK-II(2007) HRP-4C(2009) HRP-4(2010) Weight 130 kg 130 kg 58 kg 58 kg 65 kg 68 kg 43 kg 39 kg Height 160.0 cm 160 cm 154.0 cm 154.0 cm 160.0 cm 160.6 cm 170 cm 151 cm Width 60.0 cm 60 cm 65.0 cm 62.0 cm 66.4 cm 69.3 cm 44.0 cm Depth 55.5 cm 55.5 cm 34.0 cm 36.3 cm 41.0 cm 27.0 cm Walking speed 2 km/h 2 km/h 2 km/h 2 km/h 2 km/h 2 km/h BatteryNi-Zn 135 V / 6 Ah Ni-Mh 48 V / 18 Ah Ni-Mh 48 V / 14.8 Ah Ni-Mh Continuous operating time 25 minutes 25 minutes 60 minutes 120 minutes 20 minutes Degrees of Freedom 28 28 30 30 36 42 42 34 Sensors Eye stereo camera 2 2 3 3 3 3 Eye-camera - - - - 2 2 Scanning range finder - - - - - Yes Image Price26,000,000JPY Notes: 1. – For reference to compare with the HRP-1. 2. - The external appearances of HRP-2 and HRP-3 were designed by Yutaka Izubuchi. 3. – "C" means "Cybernetic Human".
References
Spec sheets HRP-2P - from Kawada Industries, Inc. HRP-2 - from Kawada Industries, Inc. HRP-3P - from Kawada Industries, Inc. HRP-3 - from Kawada Industries, Inc. HRP-4 - from Kawada Industries, Inc. HTP-4 - from AIST
External links
Kawada Industries, Inc. - Mechatronics General Robotix, Inc (Internet Archive versions) AIST Humanoid Robotics Group - academic side to the HRP project Press release about the HRP-4C HRP-4 - The Bipedal Robot - Video demonstration