Category: Technology

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 7, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Robotics Technology

Trial event held in Miyazaki for people with disabilities with difficulties going outside in using an ‘avatar robot’

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.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 Technology

Developer with Visual Impairment to Introduce “AI Suitcase” to Enable Blind People at Kansai-Osaka Expo

Chieko Asakawa, IBM Fellow and director of the Miraikan (Tokyo) National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, who develops technology to support the visually impaired, gave a lecture at Kyoto Lighthouse in Kita-ku, Kyoto City. She touched on her latest projects, such as the “AI suitcase” that will be tested at next year’s Osaka-Kansai Expo.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 30, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Technology Travel

Kawasaki City Bus “Refuses Boarding” Of Disabled Person, Not Allowing Use of Disability Certificate App

In August, a physically disabled man (53) was denied boarding a Kawasaki City bus because he was refused use of the disability certificate app on his smartphone. The city has approved the use of the app, and the man claims he was “unfairly refused boarding.” The city apologized to the man, saying “the driver was not aware of the problem.” While the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is progressing, the situation shows that operators are lagging behind in their understanding.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 17, 2024 Number of comments0
AI Disability Employment Japan Technology

‘Seamless Buddy’ AI App Visualizes the Strengths and Weaknesses of People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

“Seamless Buddy,” a system that makes it possible to visualize the abilities of people with disabilities, is attracting attention. In March of this year, the system was recognized, and Yoko Takahashi (50), the representative of Danway (Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki City), which developed it, was selected for the “Kawasaki Entrepreneur Excellence Award.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Elderly Japan Technology

Problems Found in 1st Year of Level 4 Self-Driving Service in Japan

Technical and financial problems have been identified in the year since Japan’s first transportation service using so-called Level 4 autonomous driving began in the town of Eiheiji, Fukui Prefecture.

Amid the country’s declining population, Level 4 autonomous driving, or fully automated driving under certain conditions, is viewed as a promising means of transport. The service in the central Japan town, however, has shown hurdles that must be cleared.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 27, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Japan Podcast QR Code Shog.A.I. Shimbun Technology

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #12: You’ll be Elderly in Japan, Use QR Codes and You’ll be Happy

In a country notorious for its reliance on cash, municipalities across Japan have been staging electronic payment uptake drives to stimulate digitalized consumption by granting shopping points for transactions using QR codes.

Some remain reluctant, especially elderly people and others who find digital devices difficult to operate, and who continue to view cash as the be-all and end-all for making purchases.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Technology

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #11: Osaka Company Develops Smart Remote Control for People with Disabilities

‘Access Yell’, a venture company based in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture that manufactures assistive devices for people with disabilities, has developed a smart remote control for televisions that is easy to operate for people with physical disabilities, and began selling it at the end of 2023.