New ‘ultra-short-time employment’ experiment for people with disabilities using avatar robots to be conducted in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward

From The Tokyo Shimbun

September 15 2024

TOKYO – Toshima Ward will conduct an experiment on a new employment model for people with disabilities at the Sunshine City complex (Higashi-Ikebukuro). For the month of November, people with mental and intellectual disabilities will work short hours, and people who have difficulty going out will serve customers using avatar robots. An agreement was signed with the company on the 6th of this month for the experiment.

In the experiment, about 10 ward residents with disabilities will practice the employment model at Sunshine City’s reception desk, aquarium, and observation deck. They will not be paid, but participants will receive a subsidy from the ward.

People with mental or intellectual disabilities who have difficulty working long hours will be able to experience working for just 30 minutes a day. By realizing ultra-short-time employment of less than 10 hours a week, which does not count toward the employer’s legal employment rate, the aim is to secure employment opportunities for people who have not been able to work until now.

Physically disabled students attending the senior high school division of Tokyo Metropolitan Kita Special Needs School (Kita Ward) will use a remote-controlled robot called “OriHime” developed by Ory Laboratory (Chuo Ward) to serve customers at the reception desk and other areas. Because it can be controlled from home or a welfare facility, it allows them to work even if it is difficult for them to go out.

The results of the experiment will be verified in December with researchers from the University of Tokyo and Rikkyo University, and a report will be released as early as January next year. The effective employment model will be considered for commercialization at the ward’s employment support center for people with disabilities, with the aim of also using it at other businesses.

At the signing ceremony for the agreement, ward mayor Takagiwa Miyuki said, “It would be good to see not only success stories but also issues. I hope this will lead to further strengthening of support.” Sunshine City President Waki ​​Hidemi said, “It is significant that it has evolved from a place of enjoyment to a place of work. I hope it will help expand employment for people with disabilities.”