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

  • Weighing up the future with AI
    April 14, 2022
    There is broad agreement that artificial intelligence will be an important part of Weigh in Motion as we go forward – but Adam Hill finds that not everyone agrees quite how close we are to that point
  • Drunk driver can sue power company for accident
    August 16, 2013
    The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that a drunk driver and her passenger can sue the county and a utility company for a 2005 car crash, overturning a lower court's decision in a case involving a 2005 crash. The Supreme Court ruled that government entities have a duty to ensure roads are reasonably safe for public travel, even if the driver is at fault. The controversial decision means cities, counties and utility companies can be held liable when faulty road designs lead to injuries in car crashes
  • SRL signal control is getting remote
    October 21, 2024
    UltraLight and Remos are latest launches from temporary control specialist
  • $60m in grants from USDoT for V2X deployment
    June 27, 2024
    Arizona, Texas and Utah receive money to improved connectivity and transportation