A tele-operated humanoid robot drives a backhoe in the open air

This is the first successful trial in the world to remotely control a humanoid robot so as to drive an industrial vehicle (backhoe) outdoors in lieu of human operator. Furthermore, the robot\´s operation was controlled while having it wear protective clothing to protect it against the rain and dust outside. This is too marks a world-first success demonstrating the humanoid robot\´s capability of performing outdoor work even in the rain. These results were achieved thanks to the development of the following three technologies: (1) the "remote control technology" for instructing the humanoid robot to perform total body movements under remote control and the "remote control system" for executing the remote control tasks; (2) the "protection technology" for protecting the humanoid robot against shock and vibrations of its operating sets and against the influences of the natural environment such as rain and dust; and (3) "full-body operation control technology" for controlling the humanoid robot\´s total capability to prevent the robot from falling over. The humanoid robot has a promising application potential for restoration work in environments struck by catastrophes and in civil engineering and construction project sites where it can "work" safely and smoothly.