This Radical Japanese Robot Will Make Toilet Chores A Thing Of The Past!
- Written by: HanaSara Ito
Chores are a necessary part of human existence; now, more than ever, it’s important to have a clean, hygienic space. But what if those chores could be done without you ever lifting a finger?
Meet Ugo (pronounced like You-Go), a new robot created by Mira Robotics. This clean and friendly buddy was caught zooming around earlier this month, wielding one of the deadliest weapons on earth: a toilet brush!
Boldly Going Where No Robot Has Gone Before?
In an attempt to tackle this new frontier, Mira Robotics teamed up with Chiyo Corporation Ltd., a building management company. Together, they brainstormed how robotics could help them streamline the essential business of cleaning and maintaining buildings.
Ugo began its sparkling debut by cleaning toilets at Oita Prefecture’s Industrial Science and Technology Center. Armed with two different toilet brushes and a spray gun of disinfectant, Ugo whirred to life with enthusiasm, toilet brush spinning like a drive-thru car wash.
Look at him go!
Ugo is a remotely operated cleaning robot, with two adjustable arms to perform tasks. These arms can also move up and down in height, to truly customize itself to each novel situation. It is both an avatar robot and fully automated, an unusual combination for these types of robots!
First, Ugo is remote controlled by maintenance staff. They show Ugo how to do different cleaning tasks. Ugo then learns the tasks itself, so it can clean without any outside help.
Ugo demonstrated its masterful abilities to a captive audience of industry leaders and robotics champions, as well as many adoring fans!
Japanese Robot Toilets Meet...Robot Janitors!
The building maintenance industry has had a difficult time in Japan’s economy where labor is difficult to come by. Many companies are looking for ways to use their existing workforce efficiently and automate tasks that take lots of time without too much skill.
By fully automating building maintenance and cleaning, Ugo’s makers argue, they can reduce unnecessary tasks for humans and cement Japan’s place as the “city of the future”. A normal human worker, alone, takes about 15 minutes to clean a toilet thoroughly. According to the Chiyo Corporation’s calculations, a human cleaning with Ugo in tandem should take 7 minutes-- over 50% less time than without.
Ugo goes first, cleaning and sanitizing everything before his human teammate even gets to the toilet. After a quick check of the video, Ugo’s human counterpart tags in to clean surfaces more carefully and finish the tasks.
Especially now, when so many humans need to be in their home, a little robot like Ugo can do a lot to keep spaces clean and tidy without exposing humans to harm.
Mira Robotics calls this part of the “4th Industrial Revolution”, and we have to say we agree. There will be a (not-so-far) future where robots might do our dishes, our laundry, and clean our toilets, all without starting a revolution out of a science-fiction movie.
Do you have any chores you wish a robot would do? What chore do you think robots should stay away from? Let us know in the comments!
HanaSara Ito is a writer, actor, and educator born in Japan and raised in the U.S.A. She loves writing about her experiences across Japan, and hopes everyone enjoys the beautiful amalgam of novelty and tradition that defines modern Japan. Happy trails!
- Area
- Category
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Recommended places for you
-
Goods
OTACHU.AKIHABARA
Other Shopping
Akihabara
-
Gallery Rare Ginza Main Store
Other Shopping
Ginza
-
Ticket Sundry
Other Shopping
Ginza
-
BIZEN Gallery MuGenAn Ginza
Other Shopping
Ginza
-
Travel luggage and accessories speciality shop -Toko Yuurakucho Store
Other Shopping
Ginza
-
JINS Yurakucho Marui Store
Other Shopping
Ginza
-
Experience the Magic: Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Fireworks Festival (August)
-
[Taste Test!] A New Product in the Popular 'Pikachu Tokyo Banana' Series! Adorable Special Cans Now Available
-
Top 10 Must-Visit Aquariums in Tokyo & Nearby Areas
-
5 Quirky Japanese Summer Festivals You Must See: Dancing, Fire, Bellybuttons & More!
by: Miyu Shimada
-
The Samurai Restaurant: An Insane, Energetic Night of Music and Lights
by: Cassandra Lord
-
Tokyo Summer Festivals: Bon Odori, Digital Festivals, and Theme Park Events for August 2024
by: Kaori Kimura
Inspiration for Accommodations
-
8 Scenic Hakone Lodgings with Breathtaking Views of Mount Fuji from Your Room
-
Make Your Tokyo Stay Comfortable! 10 Convenient Hotels with Airport Shuttle Service
-
Experience Luxury: Hakone's 10 Best Five-Star Accommodations
-
Enjoy Breathtaking Views! Handpicked Tokyo Hotels with Tokyo Tower Views
-
Enjoy a Private Luxury Stay! Recommended Hotels with Night Views in Shinjuku
-
Stay Near the Cherry Blossoms! Hotels for Cherry Blossom Viewing in Tokyo
-
Top Hotels Offering Free Shuttle bus to Tokyo Disneyland
-
Best Hotels with Extended Stay in Hakone for a Comfortable Experience
-
10 Asakusa Hotels Featuring Views of Tokyo Skytree®
-
10 Open-air bath Onsen Ryokans in Hakone for Ultimate Relaxation
-
10 Major Cities in Japan: Which One Should Top Your Bucket List?
-
Over 5 Million Vending Machines in Japan?! Revealing the Reasons Behind the Obsession
-
Easy Day Trip from Tokyo! Ultimate Sightseeing Guide for Hakone & Lake Ashinoko!
-
See Another Side of Asakusa! Discover Unique Gifts at These 9 Hidden Shops
-
ATMs in Japan: About Using International Cash and Credit Cards
-
Secrets to Shopping in Japan: Guide to Annual Sales in Japan & Where to Shop
by: Miyu Shimada
- #best ramen tokyo
- #what to buy in ameyoko
- #what to bring to japan
- #new years in tokyo
- #best izakaya shinjuku
- #things to do tokyo
- #japanese nail trends
- #what to do in odaiba
- #onsen tattoo friendly tokyo
- #daiso
- #best sushi ginza
- #japanese convenience store snacks
- #best yakiniku shibuya
- #japanese fashion culture
- #best japanese soft drinks