Watch "Motoman" dance

Can you imagine an industrial robot as a big robotic arm in a car factory? This image does not fit "Motoman SDA10," the first industrial robot as big as a human being and with the ability to use its fingers to sign its autograph and spin records just like a DJ.

Motoman SDA10 yesterday showed its capability with fluid, human-like movements by signing autographs and dancing during its official launch at the "Robot Live" campaign in Bangkok.

Moving like a man

"The robot is 165 centimetres high. It's the smallest industrial robot we've created. Its arms are able to work simultaneously and more flexibly. Each arm can carry things weighing 10 kilograms," said Kampanart Tanpithaksidh, robotics system engineering manager of Yaskawa Electric (Thailand).

The robot, which costs more than Bt3 million, will be used to work in applications that require both arms, such as assembly operations.

Motoman SDA10 will also be the highlight at the Power of Four exhibition, which runs from tomorrow (June 19) to Sunday at Bangkok International Trade Exhibition Centre (Bitec) in Bang-na Trad.

The exhibition, organised by Reed Tradex, will showcase technologies for the manufacturing of automotive and electronic parts, which will cover four key industrial sectors in Thailand - automobiles and parts; automation systems for manufacturing and assembly; innovations in plastic and rubber; and moulds and die manufacturing.

"We use actuators instead of motors to make the robot flexible and if any manufacturers are interested, we'll give them the know-how at the exhibition," Kampanart said.

Nichapa Yoswee, managing director of Reed Tradex, said more than 800 companies from 20 countries, including China, Germany, Singapore and Taiwan, would be presenting their innovations and technologies at the exhibition.

Special activities will include an assembly arms zone, autoparts landmark, Thai subcontractors and TGI mould-maker pavilions.