Robot Week 2018
We found out about Robot Week after booking our trip, and at around $10 to attend, it was a no-brainer so we made the trek out to Tokyo Big Sight.
![Exterior of Tokyo Big Sight](/images/robotweek2018/IMG_20181017_105323.jpg)
![a sign for multiple events in japanese, with Japan Robot Week 2018 in English](/images/robotweek2018/IMG_20181017_105523.jpg)
There were lots of robot kits and parts but they were not cheap by any means.
![a man uses a smartphone behind a counter of small robots and pamphlets](/images/robotweek2018/P1020059 - Edited.jpg)
![a counter with a Kondo logo banner displaying small robot parts such as arms and legs](/images/robotweek2018/P1010993 - Edited.jpg)
A few humanoid robots were there, but mostly for show, along with the often-promoted ping-pong playing armature.
![a person interviews a humanoid robot on a small stage](/images/robotweek2018/P1020002 - Edited.jpg)
![a robot arm attached to a frame plays ping pong against a human](/images/robotweek2018/P1020005 - Edited.jpg)
There were some smaller scale robots and vision systems, mostly for sorting and packaging.
![a robot arm sorts coffee mugs from one bin into another near a sign that reads D-Vision](/images/robotweek2018/P1020039 - Edited.jpg)
![a robot without legs is mounted on a counter with the logo for Asrof glory robot solution. A screen behind it shows its camera view of small objects.](/images/robotweek2018/P1020068 - Edited.jpg)
Specialized parts manufacturers were there too, with a variety of hands and other accessories.
![a blue robot hand on a stand makes a peace sign](/images/robotweek2018/P1020049 - Edited.jpg)
![a counter of robot hands of various metallic colours with pamphlets for D-Hand and D-Vision](/images/robotweek2018/P1020034 - Edited.jpg)
It was great to see some accessibility oriented products like exosuits for lifting, or products geared toward gait assistance.
![a man lifts a yellow plastic bin with assistance from an exoskeleton worn like a backpack](/images/robotweek2018/P1020042 - Edited.jpg)
![a poster depicts a woman's body walking in high heeled shoes with a brace around her waist and one of her legs, below the knee. Text reads Acsive non-powered gait assist suit](/images/robotweek2018/P1020075 - Edited.jpg)
Surprisingly, there were quite a few toys in addition to some weird jokey robots.
![several Charpy toy robot birds with their boxes and some smartphones. one toy is dressed as a jack-o-lantern and another is dressed as a witch for halloween](/images/robotweek2018/P1020062 - Edited.jpg)
![several red robots consisting of a sphere on a base with comical eyes and lips with hands above their heads that clap](/images/robotweek2018/P1020066 - Edited.jpg)
We had seen the Pepper robot at the airport already, so it was nice to see some other serving and concierge focused models here.
![a waist high robot similar to a roomba supports a tray of bottled drinks near a Slamtec logo](/images/robotweek2018/P1010995 - Edited.jpg)
![two humanoid robots with led faces. one holds a tray of small cakes and the other has a screen on the front](/images/robotweek2018/P1020070 - Edited.jpg)
The highlight of the show was definitely getting to try out a telepresence robot. Putting on a VR headset gives you access to the robot’s camera view and I was handed a rake to manicure a small Japanese garden setup they had using my robot hands.
![Earl seated with a vr headset on and his hands gripping controllers connected to a frame with arms to limit movement](/images/robotweek2018/P1020028 - Edited.jpg)
![a japanese man hands a robot a rake near some sand and plants. Earl is in the background using the vr system.](/images/robotweek2018/P1020030 - Edited.jpg)
The last thing we saw before leaving was Qoobo, the snuggly robot companion that wags its tail when you pet it.
![a disc covered in fur-like fabric with a tail on a table with a woman's hands grasping it alongside a pamphlet that reads Qoobo](/images/robotweek2018/P1020074 - Edited.jpg)
We also took time to have a lunch break. McDonald’s had a new Ebi Filet-o sandwich which is like a McChicken, but made with shrimp, and sweet potato milkshakes, which were both good. I also had some Qoo to drink since I can’t resist it.
![a tray of McDonald's food items the word Ebi is visible on a sandwich wrapper and there are two drinks and an order of french fries](/images/robotweek2018/IMG_20181017_125749.jpg)