For more than 50 years, we have designed and built automation solutions for a broad range of applications and processes. We are Farmers, Millwrights, Machinists, Electricians and Engineers and we have the tools and experience to complete the job.
my trip to japan to learn about robots
I am so lucky to have Kawasaki Robotics as a vendor for my robots. I have seen many robots but the ones that appeared to be the oldest and longest running were the Kawasaki robots.
After Kawasaki reviewed my company to determine if we were worthy of carrying their products, they sent us to Japan to learn the truth about how robots are made and to learn the history of a company that is more than robots and has been building machines since 1878. What I saw and will always remember is an inspiring country that is very friendly, immaculately clean and filled with people who are serious about life.
Welcome to Japan: A beautiful country full of wonderful people
The view from our hotel
The 2017 Robot show is being held in Tokyo at the Tokyo Big Site convention center.
The lobby of Tokyo Big Site
Tomorrow is the big start of the International Robot Exhibition
Beautiful Tokyo by the Sea
You can ride trains anywhere in Japan. Trains and Buses are everywhere. Here is a shot as we ride a train from the Haneda Airport to our hotel
Wandering around Tokyo
There are temples all over downtown and this lion was part of one.
A tile in the sidewalk
Ancient Japan when a fire breaks out. People are carrying buckets of water.
Back again getting ready for the show
We are waiting in the hallway for the International Robot Exhibition to start
Wandering around Tokyo
There are many beautiful architectural wonders such as this bridge entrance. Architectural wonders are everywhere in the building style.
View from the train
Odaiba park is under water but it rains a lot in Tokyo and I suspect we just missed a storm when we arrived.
Reminders to behave
No trash, no graffiti, signs like these detail requirements that are obvious to the Japanese. There is a hilarious red cloud over the head of the ones who are annoyed. That is so Japanese.
Wandering around Tokyo
During the day downtown is a calm, clean area. We are on one of the overpasses afforded to pedestrians to keep them safe from cars.
Train station in Tokyo
Trains and buses go all over Tokyo. Here we are waiting at a train station to go shopping.
Areas to relax
No trash, no graffiti, well kept public areas. Tokyo is a great city for walking and the parks and promenades are kept immaculate.
Gundham at Diver City in Tokyo
Just up the sidewalk from our Hotel is this tribute to Anime
Looking east on the promenade
Our hotel is just behind Chris’ head in this picture of a large park. Tokyo is such a clean and friendly place.
Tokyo Coliseum from our Hotel
Lack of time kept me from attending Sumo wrestling at the coliseum.
Executive meeting with Kawasaki
The future of automation is robotics. Here we saw the most important people in the company. Kawasaki promotes from within so they all know robots well.
Making great friends in Tokyo
Chris doing what she does best, making me look better than ever
The smartest people I know
These are the people I traveled to Japan with. These are some the smartest people I ever met.
Welcome to Japan: The future of automation is robotics
The Kawasaki Exhibit
We had a lot of fun at the robot show. Here is an automated paint booth for Kawasaki motorcycle parts.
Kawasaki Kaleido Humanoid Robot
There are more efficient ways to build robots but we expect them to look Human if they are to be accepted.
Always finding Treats
I lost Chris for a minute and guess where I found her? If you know her, you would say it does not surprise you.
The Kawasaki Exhibit
Kawasaki Unimate robot is probably the first actual robot. It is hydraulic.
Kawasaki Palletizing
EOAT (End of Arm Tooling) can be complex because of the great capacity of these robotic arms.
Kawasaki Duaro
Imagine the torso of your body, these robots simulate your arms
Other Exhibits
This toilet raises and lowers, tilts and sprays. You do not even need arms to use this toilet.
Useful Robotics
This is one of the gadgets I have dreamed of since beginning my automation career.
Agricultural Robotics
This machine puts rice seedlings into the dirt. The video of this working is amazing. It does not require a tractor and runs all day and night
New employees
Making gift baskets using an ABB Yumi and a Kawasaki duAro. Yumi opens bags of tomatoes for duAro to put in a basket.
Mobile Platforms
These mobile trucks can go pick up something around 50lbs and bring it to you. They can work together, too.
Muscle Assist
These visitors are being fitted with a harness to enhance muscles for jobs requiring lifting objects.
Kawasaki Medicaroid Table
Designed for operating rooms, this table moves the patient around the room so you can build better hospitals.
Translating Robotics
The man sitting is operating a set of arms on the torso if the robot. Useful for research or hazards.
Small tank with robotic arm
This company makes autonomous mobile platforms from small to large. Note the Kawasaki robot on the large one.
Welcome to Japan: Travel to the Kawasaki Robotics factory
Waiting on the bus to KRI
Kawasaki Robotics treated us to a visit to their factory and other treats.
Somehow we made it to Akashi
We took a plane then a bus then a bullet train then another bus and eventually ended up in the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Plant in Akashi
Waiting on the bus to Kawasaki Plant
Our team of integrators at Kobe Airport I think. Kobe Japan; famous for food, Mt. Fuji and Kawasaki Robots.
Akashi Plant orientation
Kawasaki Robotics getting us ready for a tour of the Akashi KRI Heavy Industries plant.
Driving through the Akashi KRI plant
We had a great tour guide and had to wear blue hats so they could find us. Not allowed to show plant images, sorry!
The largest robot in the world
Our team of integrators with our managers in front of a Kawasaki MG robot with a couple of tons of tooling.
Impressive Kawasaki HQ Museum
Kawasaki is also known for their motorcycles. I have a KLR-650 that I love to ride in the mountains here in California.
Kawasaki Green on a utility vehicle
Kawasaki makes ships, helicopters, vehicles, motorcycles, robots and more. What a great company to represent.
The gathering of Integrators
All of us were inspired by what we saw. Human ingenuity at a level most people cannot understand.
Impressive Kawasaki HQ Museum
Here is our tour guide for the Kawasaki Robotics and Motorcycle plant in Japan
Kawasaki Jet Engine
Our team of integrators with our managers in front of a Kawasaki MG robot with a couple of tons of tooling.
Time for dinner
Our hosts did a great job of entertaining us throughout the trip.
Mt Fuji last chance to get supplies
Our bus let us off here on the side of a mountain. It was beautiful but overcast.
Mt. Fuji 5th station
Everywhere we go there is a place where you can pray. Even up here.
Mount Fuji 5th Station
A sculpture of mountaineers at the base of Mt. Fuji 5th station. It was a great place to visit.
Trip to Hakone
Japan is rich in history and Lake Ashinoko (Ashi, Ashinoki) has these replica pirate ships to travel on
A boat cruise on lake Ashinoko
Great fun on these replica pirate ships. The lake is runoff from Mt. Fuji.
Owakudani Area
Kawasaki Robotics treated our group to a bus trip into the Owakudani hot springs area
Owakudani Area hot sulfur springs
Japan is rich in history and this area must have been full of people back in the old days.
Owakudani Area
We visited an astonishing area where all sorts of hot springs and mining was occurring
Dinner in Akashi
Kawasaki Robotics treated our group to an excellent dinner in Akashi after showing us the history of Japan
While in Kobe, we had Kobe Beef
Another Kawasaki sponsored meal, this time in Kobe where we had a memorable dinner.
Traditional meal in Kobe
In America we call this a family style meal. It was so good and I thank Kawasaki for the treat.
Goodbye Japan
Waiting at the Airport to fly back home.