Transcription
[Music]
Hello, I am Takemura from the Public Relations Department of The Nippon Foundation. I am in charge of supporting employment for people with disabilities. We have people with severe disabilities and illnesses, such as ALS, operating robots to work in cafes. Hello.
[Music]
"Roji Pan"
Could you please take one item at a time from my tray? Please be careful.
[Music]
[Music]
Thank you.
Yes, so I have always felt a sense of discomfort with the fact that we only have one body. Why is it that we only have one body? If we had two or more, we could do various things, couldn't we? And among the members working this time, there are three people who are completely operating with just their gaze. So, even people whose bodies have become immobile except for their eyes, like those with ALS, can move robots with just their eyes. Yes, yes, these two people here are also... yes, yes, he is moving it with his hands, but...
This cafe was a trial cafe running for only two weeks, but the aim is to launch a permanent cafe by the time the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games come to town. The workers are located all over Japan and can see, hear, and talk with the customers via their avatars.
Over from from can
Gift. Ah, gift.
Chan, ah, Chan. Please take care of us.
Please take care of us.
Well, originally, our company makes something called a "tele-robot." In English, it's an avatar, I guess. By creating these robots, people who are hospitalized can use these robots. For example, I couldn't go to school for three and a half years, but if I had used this robot, I could have seen the blackboard at school, listened to the teacher's lecture, and communicated with my friends. I might have been able to go on field trips, or enjoy cultural events together. However, I also have the experience of being unable to leave my room and just staring at the scenery, and there were times when I wanted to die.
What we want to do is how can we resolve the feeling of loneliness? Because they cannot participate in society, they lose confidence and become withdrawn. If that's the case, then how can they participate in society? When we thought about that, we decided to create avatars. And then, with these avatars, we thought about what kind of work styles are possible, leading to the current telework. It's difficult to make connections when you're at home, isn't it? Meeting people is difficult. So, we thought, let's create a place where people can meet, talk, and spend time together. That's how this cafe was born.
Can you see us here, Mr. San?
Yes, I can see you clearly. I can also see your outfits.
I can see that you are all looking at the camera.
I have ALS, a disease that deprives me of all freedom in my body. However, I can still use my hands now, so I can operate the mouse with my hands. Even if I have to have a tracheotomy and can no longer speak, there is a button to speak. I'll try speaking a little.
The fact that people who initially lacked confidence are now serving with full confidence is a surprise beyond imagination. They are robots, but in the beginning, they seemed unconfident, looking down, their backs seemed hunched. But now, they even seem to stand with their chests puffed out. I can feel their growth. The fact that customers are enjoying themselves more than we expected is truly a joy. Thank you.
I'm happy to know that. Thank you.
That's right. In 2020, they will be working at ANA's check-in counters. We are also in discussions with other coffee makers, so by 2020, people visiting Japan from all over the world may see Orihime active in various places. Japan is now a super-aged society, and it is a country with a very long average life expectancy. However, the reality is that most people have tubes attached to their bodies, and even if they are not aware of the intention to prolong life, the priority is to keep them alive. But by using this kind of technology, my colleagues with ALS can now operate robots with just their gaze, travel to various places, work in places like this, and earn money. There are also patients with ALS who can't speak because they've run out of things to say, and only their eyes move, but they can still use social media normally. Of course, there's no single right answer. But I think that living, being needed by someone, is important for humanity to continue living. However, when our bodies become unable to move, if we had another body, perhaps in the future, patients themselves might be able to take care of their own care.
Bye bye.
Thank you for watching.
See you next time.
Bye.
How is technology being used to give people independence from [Music]