Communications of the ACM
At Japanese Robot Cafe, Staff Serve Customers While Working From Home
The cafe's remote-controlled robots are creating job opportunities for people who find it hard to work outside the home.
Credit: AFP
SThe Dawn Cafe in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district is staffed by robot waiters serving diners under the remote direction of physically and mentally impaired staff based in Japan and overseas.
The cafe is part of an experiment in inclusive employment, with the remote-controlled robots offering job opportunities to people who find working outside the home difficult.
The establishment features about 20 OriHime robots built by the Ory Laboratory company equipped with cameras, microphones, and speakers so operators can communicate with customers.
Three larger humanoid robots serve drinks or greet customers, while a barista robot prepares coffee.
Ory Laboratory co-founder Kentaro Yoshifuji said, "Customers here are not exactly coming to this location just to meet OriHime. There are people operating OriHime behind the scenes, and customers will come back to see them again."
From South China Morning Post
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