Press Release

NSK to Exhibit at International Robot Exhibition 2009

INTERNATIONAL ROBOT EXHIBITION 2009

Tokyo, Japan, November 17, 2009 – NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) will exhibit at the International Robot Exhibition 2009*1, which is to be held at Tokyo Big Sight (Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo) from Wednesday, November 25 through Saturday, November 28, 2009.

At the exhibition, NSK will display human-assisting guidance robots and sensor technologies developed by utilizing its four core technologies—tribology, material engineering, analysis, and mechatronics—together with machine element technologies such as those employed in the manufacture of bearings, linear motion products, and motor products. NSK intends to identify the market needs and seeds for robotics and sensor technologies, as well as to present  the results of NSK's R&D  at the exhibition.

*1: The International Robot Exhibition, which has as its theme “Robot Technology - Challenge for the next,” will be organized by the Japan Robot Association and The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd. At the exhibition, robotics technologies and robots developed by overseas manufacturers as well as Japanese suppliers will be on display. The exhibition will also provide various opportunities to promote new products and develop new businesses through technology exchanges and business meetings.

Main Exhibits

Leg-wheeled robot
  • Step-climbing robot
  • Human-assisting guidance robot
External sensor
demonstration equipment
  • Demonstration of proximity sensor technology
  • Real-time conical scan sensor

Exhibition Overview

Dates Wednesday, November 25 to Saturday, November 28, 2009
Venue Tokyo Big Sight (Koto-ku, Tokyo)
Booth No. SR-2-7
URL http://www.nikkan.co.jp/eve/irex/ New Window

Background to Exhibition

NSK is continually developing new products that challenge the boundaries of conventional business. At the 7th International Bio Expo Japan (held in 2008), for instance, NSK exhibited cell manipulation systems that can perform cell manipulation and assemble minute components. These systems were developed by combining image processing technology with drive technology to ensure precision positioning and using machine element products such as bearings and ball screws.

At the Interphex Japan exhibition held in July 2009, NSK exhibited products it had developed for two new fields: the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The main exhibits were syringe pumps that, by combining the NSK Monocarrier™ with high-precision motors, can constantly feed specified quantities of liquids (e.g. detergents and cosmetics) in minute amounts without pulsation.

With a view to contributing to the realization of a safer, more secure society, NSK has pursued the creation of robotic solutions in areas closely related to the life sciences, such as the development of human-assisting guidance robots, future alternatives to wheelchairs, seeing-eye dogs, and nursing assistants. Furthermore, NSK will endeavor to utilize sensor technologies developed for human-assisting guidance robots in a wider range of applications so as to increase productivity and convenience in life, as well as to enhance robotics technologies.

NSK will continue to strive to identify customer needs in a variety of fields ahead of its competitors, and to respond to these needs with its world-leading technologies.