“Tomotaka Takahashi (born March 27, 1975), roboticist and founder of Kyoto University's ROBO-GARAGE since 1999, creates humanoid robots known for their smooth, fluid motions and sleek appearance. Creating a number of humanoid robots entirely by himself, from concept through to production, Takahashi's designs have been featured in art exhibitions celebrating the creation of Astroboy, Time Magazine's Coolest Inventions of 2004, and promotions for Bandai, Panasonic, and Pepsi. He has also worked with toy companies to produce relatively inexpensive robots for the hobby market, including those for Kyosho (a Japanese toy manufacturer better known for their r/c cars).

In early 2008, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. unveiled Takahashi's 4.5-ounce, 6.7-inch robot mascot for Panasonic's Evolta line of alkaline batteries (the longest lasting of its type according to the Guinness Book of World Records), which climbed a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff as a publicity stunt/demonstration on May 24, 2008. The robot was powered by a pair of Evolta batteries, and used a tiny rope to ascend the cliff face, which took approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes.

Takahashi's largest robot to date is the Enryu T-52, which he designed for Tmsuk Co. Ltd.. The Enryu (lit. “Support Dragon”) is a 3.5m tall, 2.5m wide, 5t rescue robot that fully houses a human operator, but can also be controlled remotely if necessary via cameras located in the robot's head (including night vision), and on its front, back, and flanks. Its two, 10m long hydraulic arms have 6 degrees of freedom and are capable of lifting a car or other debris in the event of an earthquake, fire, or other disaster. The arms also come equipped with individual CCD cameras, useful when small, precise movements are necessary. It moves on caterpillar-style treads at approximately 3 km/h”. – Wikipedia

Chroino, the robot, is introduced by its creator Tomotaka Takahashi at Kyoto University on June 9, 2004 in Kyoto, Japan. Chroino can walks with bent knees and stands 35cm high, weighing in at 1050g. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Creator of the “Evolta” robot, Tomotaka Takahashi (C) introduces Panasonic's alkaline battery “Evolta” series at Tokyo Midtown on January 15, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The AA alkaline battery sets a Guinness World Record for the longest service life. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

One of Japan's leading robot creator's Tomotaka Takahashi holds Robo Garage's Chroino and FT during the Robo_Japan 2008 Press Preview at Pacifico Yokohama on October 10, 2008 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

Tomotaka Takahashi holds "Evolta" during the Robo_Japan 2008 Press Preview at Pacifico Yokohama on October 10, 2008 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

The “Evolta” bike robot travels during the Panasonic Evolta World Challenge IV press conference at Afite Meguro on September 15, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Hikaru Ogawa/Getty Images)

The “Evolta” run robot is demonstrated during the Panasonic Evolta World Challenge IV press conference at Afite Meguro on September 15, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Hikaru Ogawa/Getty Images)

The “Evolta” swim robot crawls in a pool during the Panasonic Evolta World Challenge IV press conference at Afite Meguro on September 15, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Hikaru Ogawa/Getty Images)

Robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi poses with the swim version of his “Evolta” robot during the Panasonic Evolta World Challenge IV press conference at Afite Meguro on September 15, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Hikaru Ogawa/Getty Images)