A cafe in Japan is experimenting with remote-controlled robots that will allow physically disabled persons to work for the cafe.
The cafe, located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, employs ‘Avatar robots’. These robots, designation OriHime-D, are roughly four feet tall, and were used to take orders and serve food to customers.
The creators of OriHime-D, Ory Laboratory, are looking to promote more ways for people with severe physical disabilities to be able to work and engage in more social interaction despite their ailments. The ten ALS patients currently working during this trial period, who are being paid 1,000 yen an hour, control the OriHime-D robots via remote control. The robots send video images and audio over the Internet which allows these trial patients to function as stay-at-home waiters and waitresses.
The trial is being sponsored by Ory Labs, as well as two other partners: ANA Holdings, and the Nippon Foundation. The trial will go on until December 7th, but the three entities are looking to establish the cafe permanently by the time the 2020 Tokyo Olympics come around.
Avatar robots offer up a lot of potential in numerous different industries, and the success of this trial might be the catalyst which sparks increased interest in their capabilities. As we get further and further into the Digital Age, the usage of robots in our everyday lives is sure to increase.
