Robots equipped with cutting-edge technologies that perform duties on behalf of humans at workplaces and disaster-hit sites are on display at the 2025 International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo.
At the exhibition, which kicked off at Tokyo Big Sight on Wednesday, the spotlight is on humanoid robots as well as those powered by artificial intelligence.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is showcasing the newest model of its humanoid robot Kaleido, which is equipped with technologies such as autonomous movement and remote control.
In a demonstration held the same day, the robot extinguished a mock fire, removed a fallen shelf weighing 30 kilograms and rescued a dummy cat.
“We focus on a human-sized design so that our robots can use fireproof clothing and devices,” a company official said.
GMO Internet Group is demonstrating a humanoid robot that can show various movements, such as dancing while jumping and serving customers at a cafe.
A humanoid robot from GMO Internet Group dances and hops at the 2025 International Robot Exhibition on Wednesday in Tokyo.
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Joining hands with SoftBank, Yaskawa Electric is exhibiting a near-future office where robots work alongside humans. At the office, a physical AI robot immediately grasps the situation based on photos taken by a camera and moves to clean and tidy up items in the room.
Man-Machine Synergy Effectors has a robot integrated with an aerial work platform. The robot enables humans wearing virtual reality goggles to move its viewpoint and arms to conduct work such as maintaining railway facilities and timber felling.
The 26th edition of the biennial robot exhibition has brought together a record 673 companies and organizations. During the session through Saturday, the exhibition is expected to attract more than 150,000 visitors. The admission fee is ¥1,000, but entry is free for junior high school students and younger children.
A representative from Robotis demonstrates a humanoid robot’s dexterity.
| JOHAN BROOKS
Kawasakis’s quadrupedal Corleo, a personal mobility vehicle ready for off-road joy rides
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A man operates heavy machinery remotely with Nippon Signal’s ZIZAI line of robotics.
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Many iREX exhibitors were keen to show not only brute force but also delicate control is the future of robotics.
| JOHAN BROOKS
At the ongoing iREX International Robot Exhibition, robotics are not limited to humaniods. In fact, robotic heavy machinery makes up a large percentage of the show floor space.
| JOHAN BROOKS
AloJapan.com