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Japan’s Yaskawa placed their newly trained robotic arm in a face-off with Iaijyutsu Master, and five times Guinness World Record holder, Isao Machii.
The Yaskawa Bushido project was built around the ancient samurai tradition, as well as new technology. A true test of both skill and precision faced the robotic arm, Motoman MH-24 and Isao Machii.
And while we would expect the human master of the ancient sword-handling art to teach a robotic arm a lesson or two, the result in the end was that Motoman outperformed Isao Machii.
The video of the project is fascinating. The cutting edge technology used by Yaskawa allowed Motoman MH-24 to fully analyze, comprehend and imitate the moves of the Iaijyutsu master and eventually surpass him.
An endearing blend of tradition and modernity, of human and machine that speaks best of Japanese culture.
Isao Machii holds the not one, but five Guinness World Records for his katana mastering abilities. According to the records, he sliced one BB pellet fired at him at 200 mph in half without a blink. The traditional technique of 1,000 laido sword cuts was performed in a stunning 36 minutes and 4 seconds.
The discipline, the hard-work, the inclination for traditional Japanese arts are everything for Isao Machii. In the Bushido project he was brought by Yaskawa to ‘teach’ Motoman MH-24. The robotic arm learned all the moves by analyzing Machii’s movements digitally. While the katana master was wearing a 3D motion detection suit, all his moves were registered on a computer and connected to Motoman.
Perhaps it comes as no surprise that while initially the robotic arm was slightly dwindling, it perfected its moves to great precision. By the time of the face off with Isao Machii, the robotic arm managed to perfection diagonal, horizontal and the technique of 1,000 cuts.
While the robot lacked the speed of the Iaijyutsu master, it compensate by precision. They cut mats, rose buds, peas.
The 1,000 laido cuts was the supreme test for each of the two competitors. Isao Machii was visibly engaged and slightly drained at the end of the test. Yet, both Motoman and Machii completed the task successfully. A carpet of sectioned rolled mats laid on the ground while the two saluted each other in the traditional manner.
The Yaskawa Bushido project is hailed to be a pinnacle of technological advancement and tradition blending in a manner that is meant to showcase the learning abilities of Motoman MH-24 and its high precision and efficiency.
Image Source: neatorama.com
