Objective

In this project, for the sake of continuously operate the robot performance evaluation method as a standard of the performance evaluation of each kind of robots, we aim to develop human resources with insight, management ability, proposal capability etc. who can create business concept utilizing various robots with the help of the performance evaluation method. We also aim to  plan exchanges of different human resources related to the robot business, review and revise the robot performance evaluation method as related research.

The robot performance evaluation method is to measure the performance of each kind of robot (unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned underwater robot and unmanned land mobile robot) for each application field (logistics, infrastructure inspection and disaster response) . NEDO in collaboration with METI released it as Robot Performance Evaluation Procedure Manual (see ①②③ below for its categories).
① Performance evaluation procedure on unmanned aerial vehicles for bridge inspection
② Performance evaluation procedure for underwater inspection robot for dam and river inspection
③ Performance evaluation procedure on land mobile robot for tunnel disaster / plant disaster
In addition, the Fukushima Robot Test Field (RTF), which has various test facilities such as simulated bridges, simulated tunnels and is supposed to contribute to the development of the performance evaluation method, is under construction. The robot performance evaluation method and the RTF are expected to be utilized for a lot of domestic/foreign robot manufacturers and users.

Outline

In this project, we aim to form a "virtuous cycle" in which human resources development, human exchanges development, and peripheral research are carried out together, and development of the robot perform evaluation method is promoted.

(1) Human Resources Development Course
The following three courses related to the robot performance evaluation method will be held about four times a year per course for robot manufacturers, supposed future users and local governments that manage bridges and dams. In addition to Fukushima Prefecture, venues will be selected from major cities across the country.
· Performance evaluation course on bridge inspection field utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles
· Performance evaluation course on dam and river inspection field utilizing underwater robots
· Performance evaluation course on tunnel and plant disaster research field utilizing land mobile robots

(2) Expansion of personnel exchanges
· Symposium on robot performance evaluation method
· Matching events with businesses entrepreneurs in Fukushima Prefecture

(3) Peripheral research
· Review and revise the robot performance evaluation procedure manual
· Proposal for internationalization of the performance evaluation method (Proposal to NIST etc.)