Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Best robotics and innovative tech we've seen at the games so far

Artificial Intelligence

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Best robotics and innovative tech we’ve seen at the games so far

By R. Dallon Adams August 21, 2021, 8:49 AM PDT

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Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Best robotics and innovative tech we’ve seen at the games so far

2020 Olympics: Best robots, autonomous vehicles and more

Image: Toyota

2020 Olympics: Best robots, autonomous vehicles and more

Toyota’s artificial intelligence-powered humanoid basketball player CUE may not be a an Olympic medalist, but the robot is an athletic legend in its own right. In 2019, the robot made history when it was awarded the Guinness World Record for “most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot (assisted),” according to Toyota.

The robot was seen showing its skills at the free-throw line during this year’s games; a made free throw just before a commercial break garnered a “boom shakalaka” from one of the Olympic commentators.

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota

CUE makes history

Image: Toyota

CUE makes history

The CUE robot during its Guinness World Record attempt in 2019.

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota

Robotic court skills on full display

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

Robotic court skills on full display

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

Robotic free throw form

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

Robotic free throw form

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

CUE reloads for another shot

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

CUE reloads for another shot

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

Field support robots

Image: Olympics

Field support robots

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, spectators may see a few bots retrieving game balls and other equipment during competition. This year, Toyota has developed a series of Field Support Robots (FSR) designed to “retrieve sports equipment quickly and safely on the field of play, alleviating the burden on operational staff,” according to an Olympics post.

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Olympics

A field support robot in action

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

A field support robot in action

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

FSR in the stadium

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

FSR in the stadium

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

A pair of bots rove the field

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

A pair of bots rove the field

Field support robots on the playing field.

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

An FSR behind the scenes

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

An FSR behind the scenes

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

Human support robots and deliver support robots

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

Human support robots and deliver support robots

Although this year’s games are being held without spectators, Toyota originally designed a series of Human Support Robots (HSRs) and Deliver Support Robots (DSRs) to lead attendees to their seats and “deliver drinks and other goods to spectators that they have ordered from a dedicated tablet,” according to a Toyota post.

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

HSRs and DSRs

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

HSRs and DSRs

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

Autonomous transport

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

Autonomous transport

The Olympics have also showcased various autonomous vehicles designed to transport athletes around the Olympic Village. Originally, Toyota planned to deploy about 200 electric vehicles known as Accessible People Movers (APMs) to “transport athletes, staff and visitors with accessibility needs around venues.” Each of the electric APMs has a single-charge range of 100 kilometers and can ferry up to five passengers.

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

A fleet of autonomous transport vehicles

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

A fleet of autonomous transport vehicles

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Courtesy of Tokyo 2020

Autonomous transport vehicle

Image: Toyota

Autonomous transport vehicle

SEE: Robo Olympians? Olympics schedule packed with bots, AI, VR and more (TechRepublic)

Image: Toyota

By R. Dallon Adams

R. Dallon Adams is a journalist originally from Louisville, Kentucky. His previous work includes a wide spectrum of beats and formats ranging from tech-savvy urban planning initiatives to hands-on gadget reviews.

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