Coronavirus

[Corona ni Makeruna] Japan Living With COVID-19ーWith the Help of Robots

Published

3 years ago

October 22, 2020

In the time of COVID-19, we are all becoming more anxious about interacting with others. What if inadvertently the shopkeeper at the supermarketーor your colleague at the factoryーinfects you with the virus?

To fight this natural fear, the use of robots to minimize contact with others and reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection has been trending in Japan.

: Japan Avatar Robot Cafe OriHime takes and serves orders and interacts with customers

: The avatar robot “OriHime” jointly developed by the Nippon Foundation and Ory Laboratory Co. Ltd., serves guests in the avatar robot cafe

: OriHime interacts with kids in the cafe

Mos Burger is a local burger chain that puts a Japanese spin on a fast food joint. The Osaki (Shinagawa-ku) outlet is putting its own spin on the chain, even in terms of infrastructure. It has started using OriHime, a small robot which can be controlled remotely, to serve customers. For shop assistants who might feel anxious about going to work because they take care of small children, or maybe care for someone in their family, assisting customers through OriHime reduces their risk and they can still carry out their job duties.

ORBIS Inc., a cosmetics company, has introduced a robot in the backlines of their business instead. In order to reduce the toll on staff that comes from manning the logistics center, the firm has started using hundreds of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) which, after being programmed, carry specified merchandise from point A to point B. The Kisai Logistics center in Kazo, Saitama Prefecture, has taken this step as a means of increasing shipping capacity and combating shipping delays while employees were staying home more because of the virus.

: Robots used to greet visitors in Japan

: AGVs can keep shipments moving while reducing risks for humans

: Postal Service delivery robot in Ginza, Tokyo

Of course, there is also the example of Pepper PARLOR Café, in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward. Opened in 2019, and specializing in waffles and coffee, the remarkable trademark of the establishment is its very special host: Pepper the robot.

: Pepper can serve, as well as greet and guide humans

: NAO can be helpful, but also dance

: NAO the robot can dance

Guests can enjoy their beverages and delicacies while talking with the robot. And, “NAO” the robot that dances to music for everyone’s entertainment is also known to make special appearances.

In a time when any measures are welcome to fight COVID-19, might the pandemic be an impetus to introduce robots further in our lives?

(Click here to read the related article in Japanese).

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Author: JAPAN Forward