The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games may become known as the “Robot Games”. Organizers showed that robots will be used at the new National Stadium to provide assistance for visitors using wheelchairs. Tokyo Olympic official Masaki Komiya pointed out that Japan is known for its robot technology, and the 2020 Summer Games are a good chance to show it. “Robots should not defeat people,” said Komiya. “Robots are something that has a friendly relationship with human beings and can work together with them.”
The robots are made by a major Olympic sponsor(赞助商) Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota officials said 16 of the so-called “human support robots” will be used at the National Stadium with five other “delivery(递送) support robots” and “media support robots” also being available.
Minoru Yamauchi of Toyota, the general manager for 2020 Robot Development, said Toyota is opening up a new field and becoming a “mobility company”. “We have been looking at how we can support people’s daily life and how we can develop robots that can partner with daily life,” Yamauchi said. “In the Tokyo Olympics, there will be many guests in wheelchairs and we hope they can enjoy the games without worrying about their mobility.”
Panasonic Corporation—also a major Olympic sponsor—showed its “power assist suit”. When worn, the suit offers support to the back and bottom area and allows heavy objects to be lifted with less effort. Panasonic said 20 of the suits will be used in the Tokyo Olympics and can help guests with their luggage(行李). Panasonic also planned to develop entertainment robots to help visitors enjoy their stay in Japan.
Yoshifumi Uchida, general manager of Panasonic, said its power assist suit technology was developed partly because of Japan’s aging population. This could help get more women and the elderly into the working population. “We would like to have a society where people can work without caring about sex differences or age differences,” Uchida said.
【小题1】What can be learned from Yamauchi’s words?| A．More disabled people will attend the 20 Tokyo Olympics. |
| B．Robots of Toyota are the most advanced in the world. |
| C．Yamauchi invented a new kind of wheelchair. |
| D．Toyota is constantly improving their robotics. |
| A．keep people’s body warm | B．lift up entertainment robot |
| C．treat guests in wheelchairs | D．help visitors carry heavy objects |
| A．Women in Japan usually stay at home. |
| B．The employment rate in Japan is very low. |
| C．Robot technology serves the development of society. |
| D．Power assist suits help elderly people to become younger. |
| A．Robot technology to be used in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. |
| B．Major Olympic sponsors of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. |
| C．The effects of robots on people's daily life. |
| D．Japan's future robot technology. |
