On the Koumi Line in Nagano Prefecture, a robot with a chainsaw in place of one hand is cutting branches that grow over the tracks. The operator is East Japan Railway Company (JR East), one of the largest rail companies in eastern Japan, which is using it for maintenance designed not to disrupt train service.
The machine is a multifunction rail vehicle carrying a humanoid robot. It can travel on rails like a train or on roads like a truck. The robot's left hand is a multi-pronged claw for grabbing and moving branches and debris. The right hand is a chainsaw. At Nobeyama, the maintenance team noticed branches encroaching on the Koumi Line near the station and sent the machine to cut and clear them.
JR East constantly monitors the condition of its tracks and carriages to spot problems before they occur, and dispatches a crew when work is needed. The robot used at Nobeyama is an updated model. The company began adding these robots to its maintenance fleet in March of this year, but the public has had only limited chances to see them. The robots are operated by humans, which affects how they are used.
Maintenance has traditionally been scheduled overnight, in the gap between the last train and the first of the morning, so service is not disrupted. More maintenance workers have been asking for day shifts, and the company is looking to accommodate them. Moving work to daylight hours means the line will need to close more often during regular operating hours, and JR East hopes passengers will understand. The company says acceptance will be easier if it comes with more chances to see the robots in action.
High-altitude work is a main reason for using the machines. Nagano maintenance manager Hirokazu Taguchi said the robots reduce elevated operations, where workers face risks of electric shock and falls. Taguchi added that the company intends to keep repairing the tracks carefully, with consideration for passengers.
The Koumi Line runs 78.9 kilometres through the mountains, linking Kobuchizawa in Yamanashi Prefecture with Komoro in Nagano Prefecture, with 31 stations. Tree branches are a recurring problem on this route, which is why the chainsaw robot was deployed here.
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