Robotics uncharted: When hazardous-duty robots met the Fukushima nuclear disaster (2011–2015)

摘要

The Fukushima nuclear disaster of 11 March 2011, created a hazardous environment for both residents and rescue workers. The proficient use of robotic technology to assist with disaster mitigation and intense research into this genre of robotics had been proposed as a pivotal substitute for endangering disaster workers in disaster response. However, despite the high expectations and aspirations of Japan’s competitive robotics industry, the technological and political problems surrounding the use of robots were severe. Robot-enabled disaster management can only materialize through effective policy direction by the government. This paper explores the problems of using robots in disaster management since Japan’s launch of a nuclear disaster-response robot project in the 1980s.