Seven-Eleven Japan Co. on Tuesday introduced worker robots to one of its convenience stores in Tokyo, with the trial part of an automation push necessitated by Japan’s worker shortage. One robot will take over tasks such as stocking bottled drinks and canned alcohol, while others will clean the store’s floors and windows.
A trial event was held in Miyakonojo City to let many people know about “avatar robots,” which allow people with disabilities or other reasons to remotely control a robot to connect with society. The robot introduced was a small humanoid robot called “OriHime” equipped with a camera and microphone. People who have difficulty going out due to disabilities or serious illnesses can remotely control it to talk to people. On the 5th, a trial event was held at the Miyakonojo City Museum of Art, and “Hina,” a woman in her 20s from Miyazaki City who operates the “avatar robot,” interacted with visitors.
The research group developed a gamelike system that uses a cylindrical device with the firmness of hard tofu. Users adjust their grip force between 150 and 400 grams to trace a line of stars displayed on the screen. People with mild cognitive impairment tend to deviate from the line more easily than healthy elderly individuals, allowing for early detection of those suspected of developing the condition.
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.
Through Disability Equality Training, all participants discuss diversity and coexistence with “disability” as an entry point, think about it, and connect it to action to realize diversity and coexistence.
The Mitsubishi Electric Advanced Technology Research Institute in Japan is researching remote control technology on the theme of no-contact. This initiative is being undertaken so that people with physical disabilities can perform jobs and find work.
“The purpose of this contest is to support researchers and developers from around the world in their efforts to develop innovative tools that will enable wheelchair-bound people with lower limb paralysis or other disabilities to walk independently, using their remaining functions, without the assistance of caregivers.”
The Japanese government plans to launch a system by the end of fiscal 2022 to have over 20,000 personnel help elderly people with their smartphones and other digital devices, it was learned Wednesday.
Japan’s robotics market is booming thanks to the need to avoid in-person contact amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hoping to reduce human contact, operator of Mos Burger shops, Mos Food Services Inc. introduced a robot that can take orders. The company unveiled to the press on Tuesday what customer service can look like with an OriHime robot that can be remotely controlled by people with disabilities who have difficulty leaving their homes. Mos Food Services expects the robot will not only help reduce human contact amid the coronavirus, but also help solve labor shortages.
Barrier Free Japan