West Japan Railway says it will start using a truck-mounted robot for maintenance and inspection work from this month. The move comes as train operators tap new technologies to counter labor shortages and improve safety.
JR West developed the machine with a robot startup and others.
The device has two arms that can carry objects weighing up to 40 kilograms. It also has a reach of as high as 12 meters, and can replace parts, paint, and trim trees.
An operator controls the machine using a goggle headset connected to cameras. When the user turns their head, the robot does the same. The weight of lifted objects can also be felt through control levers.
Hasegawa Kazuaki, President of West Japan Railway, said, "Increasing the use of robots is important to meet the challenges of maintenance work and to ensure stable and sustainable railway operations."
JR West says the robot could reduce maintenance workloads by about 30 percent. It is also expected to improve safety when work is needed in hazardous environments, such as with electric cables.