Bastel thee thy tin man himself

From an electrical friend, where you tinker in his spare time can dream of many Japanese. In Tokyo has now opened a store that focuses on robot kits and specialized craft courses - even for children.

 

Tokyo - Many Japanese are fascinated by robots. Some even so much that they themselves in their free access to the screwdriver. Just as the crafters here at the weekend to screw their cars, they look to their electronic companions, instead of like other people to lie on the beach. On the fourth floor of a building in Tokyo's Akihabara district - known for its many electronics shops - has now opened a shop whose specialty is robotics kits.

In the shop with the name Vstone Robot Center, there is also advice on the maintenance of robots and crafts courses for children. It is the only major store in Tokyo for robots.

Plate-mates of all sizes and for various application areas are offered here. These are not just Vstone products, but also other robot manufacturers such as the Robo-Q from Tomy or pleo-called dinosaurs of the now bankrupt U.S. company Ugobe. Among the self-robots which Vstone be seen, also the 1.30 meter remote "Alcnon?". His name is a word game with the Japanese "Can it go?"

Robo-holiday shopping

One of the customers in the store VStone the teacher Naoto Osada. "Robots show the technological development of Japan," says the 30-year-old who just finished a Robo-Q has purchased. The Japanese Government has made the promotion of research on robotics a pillar of its growth strategy explains. It is expected that the business of the robots in 2025 to 6.2 trillion yen (about 47 billion Euro) is growing. Robots will then be technically mature, and be sure that they are in every house can be used.

Even tourists who share the enthusiasm for robots with the Japanese share, will find their way into the business. You see, for example, the dancing Tichno, which is moved rhythmically to the beat. "I love it. They are fantastic. And they are funny, especially the dance," says the German Christiane Ruff who, during their three week holiday to Japan next to the temples of Kyoto and the robot shop committed.

Still at least ten years

Despite the widespread enthusiasm for Robots - Nobuo Yamato, the head of the store, believes that the Government is developing robots is not enough support for future engineers in this area of interest. Vstone developed new robot kits, especially for children and adolescents. They cost of components, sensors and motors between 5,985 yen (45 euros) and 9,975 yen (75 euros). Often they are already in schools. "I love robots, because they can influence them and then move," says the nine-year-old Kazuki Azuma.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Robot as a teacher: Ms. Saya dominated six emotions (18.03.2009)

Electric elves: Japan is building the Robo-model (16.03.2009)

Test in Tuscany: SMS calls garbage disposal robot (07.02.2009)

Handy-controlled: robot starts by burglars catchall (31.01.2009)

Robot bands: heavy metal music (24.01.2009)

Yamato acknowledges that the metal comrades currently primarily used to attention. For the often announced in the budget or use for the elderly if they were still not suitable. "The challenge lies in practical application areas to find, but that's still ten years away," said Yamato. "The 'Asimo' Honda is perhaps the best Japanese robots. But everything he can, is to work at the reception or tea is served," said Yamato. So it is still a long way before the Roboterbastlern until their devices more than just toys are.