Kawasaki Heavy Industries will donate 50 arm-shaped robots to the Tokai National University Organization, which operates Nagoya University and Gifu University, by 2024. It was used for PCR testing for the new coronavirus infection, and some of it has already been delivered and is being used for classes and research.
According to Gifu University, the industrial robot ``RS007'' will be donated. Measuring 80 to 90 centimeters in height, the arm can be rotated and bent, and has a track record of handling more than 85 samples through automated PCR testing. One unit is said to be worth 1 million to 100 million yen.
Automated PCR tests have come into play at airports and hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic because they can test large numbers of samples at the same time without requiring people to be present. However, with the new coronavirus being treated the same as seasonal influenza, and proof of negative results being no longer required when flying internationally, PCR tests themselves are coming to an end. For this reason, Kawasaki Heavy Industries donated it in hopes of making it useful for university research.
Tokai University Organization held a robot donation ceremony at its affiliated Gifu University, where Director Seiichi Matsuo and others expressed their gratitude and handed a letter of appreciation to Hiroyoshi Shimokawa, Managing Executive Officer of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Gifu University has developed a processing technology that uses a donated robot equipped with a drill to drill holes in aircraft parts, and is promoting research without introducing expensive machine tools.
