Skip to main content

Creepy robots direct Japan’s work zone traffic

Driving through a road construction zone usually involves obeying flashing signs or traffic signals. Japan has another answer to moving motorists through a road construction zone –battery powered robots. Called Anzen Taro, which roughly translates to ‘Safety Sam’, the dead-eyed entities range from electronic cartoons to crude scarecrows and disembodied torsos and are used to control traffic around government-funded construction sites in Japan. Their complexity varies from a simple metal plate to clothed
January 29, 2014 Read time: 1 min
Driving through a road construction zone usually involves obeying flashing signs or traffic signals.  Japan has another answer to moving motorists through a road construction zone –battery powered robots.

Called Anzen Taro, which roughly translates to ‘Safety Sam’, the dead-eyed entities range from electronic cartoons to crude scarecrows and disembodied torsos and are used to control traffic around government-funded construction sites in Japan. Their complexity varies from a simple metal plate to clothed mannequins, all with a robotic arm to direct traffic.

Related Content

  • Solar-powered traffic detection improves communication
    January 31, 2012
    Pete Goldin reports on a new wireless, solar-powered traffic detection system being used by Caltrans District 12. As more and more traffic data is necessary to satisfy the needs of traffic management centres and traveller information systems, and as traffic detection technology becomes more ubiquitous, transportation authorities are pressured to find more economical ways of expanding their detection systems. Caltrans District 12 is leading this push by deploying the latest detection system from Case Global
  • Technology targets Red-X transgressors
    February 25, 2016
    Currently deployed technology is being used to detect motorists ignoring the ‘red-X’ signs that indicate the lane is closed, as Colin Sowman hears. With an increasing network of ‘Smart Motorways’ - all-lane running or the opening of hard shoulders during times of congestion - Highways England (HE) has identified a growing problem with ‘red-X’ compliance. The ‘red-X’ sign signifies a closed lane or lanes and used to provide a safer area for stranded motorists, emergency workers or road maintenance crews and
  • Increasing road safety with automated driver assistance systems
    January 26, 2012
    Jon Masters looks at how drivers will be trained to use the increasing number of advanced driver assistance systems being incorporated into modern cars
  • Qatar invests $70 billion to pave the way to world beating transportation
    July 26, 2013
    Eng. Zeina Nazer looks at what Qatar’s recently-announced investment in transport infrastructure will mean on the ground. Qatar is experiencing a rapid economic and industrial growth. This growth is characterised by a rapid population increase and by the urgent need towards the development of both infrastructure projects and major transport projects. In order to handle this rate of development within Qatar, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is developing a fully-integrated multimodal transportation system in