Remote-Controlled Robot Staff Tested in Japanese Convenience Store
%2Favatars%2F6UKotck4r9pz.jpg&w=96&q=75)
%2Fimg%2Fiea%2FLBGR3L3n62%2Ftx-main.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Japan's convenience stores are facing somewhat of a labor shortage. In a bid to make it easier for these stores to stack their shelves, Japanese robotics firm Telexistence (TX) has developed a remote-controlled robot, the Model-T.
The humanoid robot with a cat-like head can be controlled via a virtual reality headset using the company's "Augmented Workforce Platform" (AWP).
RELATED: ROBOTS WILL TAKE OVER THESE INDUSTRIES IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS
Remote robots creating jobs
In the trial video below, a man controls a Model-T in a FamilyMart store in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward from the Telexistence office, which is approximately five miles (eight kilometers) away in Minato Ward.
"With Model-T and AWP, FamilyMart and TX aim to realize a completely new store operation by remote-izing and automating the merchandise restocking work, which requires a large number of labor-hours," Telexistence explains in a press release.
Though automated robots would have seemed like the obvious choice when it comes to facing a labor shortage, the Model-T will allow for stores to "operate with less workers, [enabling] them to recruit employees regardless of the store’s physical location," the release continues.
Model-T's almost cartoony cat-like features were no doubt chosen to give it a friendly appearance while also highlighting a nimble quality to its capabilities. While the trial video does show it's perhaps not the speediest cat in town, it's worth noting that the robot is yet to be deployed and will continue to be developed and improved.
Convenience store robots dispatched at your convenience
To begin with, the Model-T will handle objects like bottles and plastic containers. However, Telexistence aims to have the robot handling more delicate items such as rice balls, sandwiches, and bento boxes in the future.
Aside from being a convenient way to reduce human contact in a post-COVID-19 world, Telexistence also suggests that FamilyMart staff might be able to be dispatched remotely to any store that is in most need of a worker at any given time.
Telexistence has a deal in place with Japanese convenience store FamilyMart. The robotics firm aims to deploy the Model-T in up to 20 stores by 2022.
SHOW COMMENT (1)
/2022/08/15/image/png/Uj1WeDltZKZ2n4tNqPFROYXslm2Uq77iNK7yEjVf.png "How researchers found a way to boil water faster")
/2023/02/19/image/jpeg/EQsHtM59KSC1bPtE66DFmZkuQZ7lmOP5IiofajTH.jpg "Rise of AI: Google wrestles OpenAI's ChatGPT in a no holds Bard match")
/2023/06/03/image/jpeg/MwGIp61b2PM577qboU4pfCmoiPEju8IbV9fCHbx8.jpg "Hawking was right: All large objects will eventually evaporate")
/2023/05/28/image/jpeg/X1sB2puBpxN1VWCWMDkaa7Uwd2FUAdOP6AxTp8T8.jpg "NGAD: The chosen one - US Air Force commits to sole 6th-generation fighter")
/2023/05/26/image/jpeg/1JXrkwK7efWVsmu4aRFf4fdD1Ptufo7ZAU7UMPLd.jpg "US Carrier Strike Group can be countered with 24 hypersonic missiles, China claim")
/2022/11/16/image/jpeg/52TIkGnIBSvQjBGjFFqpnfzqARQHlAgGGcXKUzXk.jpg "Engineers test novel navigation technology for NASA's Artemis mission in Arizona desert")
/2023/05/25/image/jpeg/xbqtdlTTlQ6wFUubr9etkXJZVi8dBYvahuUEjCzI.jpg "This architecture firm is introducing inflatable skyscrapers")
/img/iea/V0OyjqJ5GQ/untitled-1-6.jpg "This flood protection barrier reaches new heights")
/2022/09/23/image/jpeg/d2Zl3zAReu7sOWQDUo5ZQXkBTSbVinFcJNmdVd8G.jpg "Brainwaves synchronize during online games when players aren't in the same room")
/2023/05/26/image/jpeg/smTFO3AG7ESAzCi8L0kVnrUEHbVmcjiZ2KhVW0QE.jpg "Potential cure for diabetes found in groundbreaking stem cell study")