Investors: Press Release
GeckoSystems' CEO to Discuss Mobile Robot
Safety Paradigm at Conference
Safety Paradigm at Conference
CONYERS, GA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) - GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GOSY) (http://www.geckosystems.com/) -- announced today that their CEO, Martin Spencer, will discuss the Mobile Robot Safety Paradigm at their third annual "Mobile Robots in Motion" Conference April 13-14, 2011. This important topic was first reviewed early last December with a senior Japanese government and robot industry delegation. GeckoSystems is a dynamic leader in the emerging mobile robotics industry revolutionizing their development and usage with "Mobile Robot Solutions for Safety, Security and Service™."
"We consider it to be a moral and ethical imperative to be investigating and discussing the impact of potentially very dangerous machines operating automatically without direct human control in environments populated by people, pets, and other live animals," remarked Martin Spencer, President/CEO, GeckoSystems. "Our tag line indicates clearly we place safety first in all our mobile service robot (MSR) solutions due to our many years of studying the impact of autonomous machines physically interacting with us, our families, and the general population of people and animals that inhabit our society and civilization."
MSR's can be very dangerous due to their size, weight, locomotion system, level of autonomy, level of situational awareness, speed, power supply, etc. Hence the discussion of level of autonomy vis a' vis level of safety vis a' vis needed level of appropriate and sufficient regulations is very timely and necessary. Imagine, if you will, the damage an electric wheelchair, electric golf cart, etc. can inflict on humans, their pets and/or surroundings.
Some of the large walking robots in Japan weigh 200-300+ pounds. When powered off, -- whether deliberately, accidentally, or due to power depletion -- they fall down "rag doll" like due to no power to keep them standing. A 300-400 pound tele-operated MSR is actually more dangerous than a semi- or low-level autonomous MSR due to potentially poor, inattentive operator control. For example, a 250+ pound electric wheelchair can cause significant damage to persons, animals and its environment due to its weight, power, and speed. (This has given cause for GeckoSystems to be developing a "collision proof" upgrade kit for joystick controlled wheelchairs.)
Software attributes will be discussed ranging from simple obstacle avoidance to AI enabled self-navigation. Simple obstacle avoidance includes: Low Level, Reactive (LLR), Mid Level, Proactive (MLP) and High Level, Contemplative (HLC) behaviors. AI Self Guidance (AISG) Eg. errand running, patrolling, seeking, finding, following, pursuing, includes Loose Crowd Capable (LCC) and Wide Receiver Capable (WRC) behaviors. The level of situational awareness of an MSR also dramatically influences the level of safety that which a particular MSR is capable.
Late last year the Japanese government representatives stated:
"We are very impressed (with) your effort to spread robot technology to the field, especially for the elderly care, showing on your website. Communication between CareBot and elderly was fascinating in the real caring field. In Japan, we are trying to establish the legal issues for developing and spreading elder care robot technologies to such areas. ...By doing this we would expect to open up the way to develop and establish Japanese standards and legal systems for personal robot providers," stated Dr. Kentaro Kotani, Professor, Kansai University, representing the Japanese government's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Dr. Kotani is also a member of the Project Steering Committee under the management of the Japan Automobile Research Institute.
Accompanying Dr. Kotani at the December mobile robot safety summit was Dr. Masahiro Kato, General Manager, Department of Robot Technology Promotion, Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC). Dr. Kato was intimately involved in Hitachi's personal robot R&D for many years.
Drs. Kotani and Kato are master roboticists due to their formal, advanced educations and many years of significant involvement in Japanese mobile robot R&D. Their senior roles within their respective organizations substantiate they are within the inner circle of Japanese robot industry strategic planning and decision making officials.
"We were pleased and honored to have met with these senior Japanese government representatives to discuss many areas of mutual interest. As far as I know there are no specific laws for utilization of personal robot in Japan at this time. Drs. Kato and Kotani and their sponsors, including NEDO, have started the research toward the new law. This is Agency under Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), like JETRO. It seems METI has now realized that it is very important to prepare the specific Law(s) for the personal robots to be used widely in the aging society, and had NEDO to take up this project. NEDO assigned the project to a foundation called Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC). Dr. Kotani is sponsored by this organization," stated Mr. Hajime Yasumatsu, Chairman, Yasu, Inc.
"It was a very insightful summit last December with this Japanese delegation. During our upcoming conference, I am very much looking forward to presenting and discussing the many aspects of insuring that the coming incorporation of mobile service robots into our everyday lives, whether at home, play, or at work will be safe and successful. Our leadership role in mobile robot solutions is not limited to simply technology and business, but the most important aspect of all, safety. We believe that our nearly 1400 investors are concerned with safety so our products will be perceived by their users as safe, secure, and the service, cost effective, such that they will be readily purchased," concluded Spencer.
Journalists are encouraged to contact GeckoSystems regarding the progress of GeckoSystems and potential attendance at the upcoming GeckoSystems' invitation only "Mobile Robots in Motion" conference. Journalists and other interested parties may submit their request for an invitation to info@geckosystems.com or call 678-413-9236. Space is limited, so please inquire soon.
About Dr. Kentaro Kotani:
Dr. Kotani is a researcher in the field of human-machine interaction. He is a member of the Investigation Committee for Personal Robot Law and Systems, commissioned by Japanese independent administrative institution to investigate desirable safe technology, laws, international standards and social system in Japan. He works for MSTC (Manufacturing Science and Technology Center) to which NEDO assigned the project.
Professor Kentaro Kotani, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering Science, Kansai University 3-3-35,
Yamate-cho, Suita, OSAKA 564-8680, JAPAN
Tel (+81)6-6368-1121, ext.5596,
Fax (+81)6-6388-8785,
http://w3hfe.iecs.kansai-u.ac.jp/kotani/kotani1.html
About Dr. Masahiro Kato:
Masahiro Kato, Ph.D.
General Manager
Department of Robot Technology Promotion,
Manufacturing Science and Technology Center
1989 MS, Electrical Engineering, Seikei University
2001 Dr. Eng., Mechanical Engineering, Waseda University
Research Background:
1989-2001 Hitachi, Ltd., Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory, Researcher
2002-2008 Hitachi, Ltd., Central Research Laboratory, Researcher
2009-2011 Manufacturing Science and Technology Center (MSTC), Manager
For more information: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/aboutmeti/policy/2011policies.pdf
About New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO):
As Japan's largest public management organization promoting research and development, NEDO has a crucial mission to carry out.
Message from their Chairman, Mr. Seiji Murata:
"International competition in the field of research and development of advanced technology has increased considerably in recent years, and in order for Japan to secure and strengthen its industrial competitiveness in such a challenging environment, it is essential that the nation's research and development activities are promoted more strategically than ever before.
"As part of this endeavor, a number of important issues need to be addressed. For example, research activities must be organized and carried out so as to foster innovation, and suitable strategies having specific technology development targets must be promoted to enhance Japan's industrial competitiveness. An institutional framework that enables frontrunners to overcome obstacles hindering technological innovation must be supported as well. It is also necessary to promote commercialization of research results, develop strategies to secure intellectual property rights, and establish practical technology management policies. All of these as well as other issues need to be responsibly dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.
"Since its establishment in 1980, and especially after its reorganization as an incorporated administrative agency in October 2003, NEDO has played a unique role in the field of technology development. As Japan's largest public research and development management organization, we will endeavor to more effectively promote advanced technology that will enhance Japan's industrial competitiveness and resolve energy and global environmental issues.
"After analyzing the latest domestic and international technology and market trends, NEDO selects and focuses on truly necessary projects by identifying the clear purpose and expected outcomes of the research. It strategically and intensively promotes research and development, leveraging the collective efforts of the industrial, academic and governmental sectors with the aim of achieving each project's research objectives.
"NEDO performs objective evaluations based on the latest technological and commercial trends, and thus is able to quickly revise the plan for a project, including acceleration, expansion, downsizing and termination."
NEDO performs objective evaluations based on the latest technological and commercial trends, and thus is able to quickly revise the plan for a project, including acceleration, expansion, downsizing and termination.
For more information:
http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/introducing/index.html