Roger OngThose who are familiar with the “Bunshin robot” OriHime will already know how these little robotic creatures empower people with disabilities to work in a creative new way. So, we were quite excited when we learnt that a trial guided tour was going on: a walking tour around the Tokyo neighborhood with an OriHime on your shoulder!
The company OryLab Inc. is running these trial tours, testing the feasibility of application of the “Bunshin robot” OriHime in a mobile situation. Zenbird contacted OryLab Inc. for a chance to participate in their monitor tour. But we got much more out of it than just being guided by OriHime through a Japanese neighbourhood. New friends were made, a transient afternoon was spent with cherry blossoms, and an opportunity to reflect on our blessings and responsibilities arose. One might even call this experience a reminder in humanity.
A tour inspired by the interactions with Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β customers
Located in the Nihonbashi area, Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β is a wonderful cafe that marries advanced robotics with inclusion. This experimental establishment employs individuals with disabilities who remotely control avatar robots, named OriHime and OriHime-D, enabling them to serve customers and engage socially with the customers. These individuals are called “pilots.” So even though the pilots have physical limitations, they are still able to serve as counter staff and servers effectively at the cafe. Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β has been receiving more and more visitors over the years, and these travelers get to have conversations with the pilots and learn about how they work.
Ory Yoshifuji, Inventor of OriHime and Co-founder and CVO of OryLab Inc., shared that it is from the interactions from the pilots with the cafe’s visitors that the idea for the tour arose.
Yoshifuji: “Originally, the OriHime pilots [in the cafe] were introducing visitors to famous tourist spots around Nihonbashi, or even lesser-known but historically rich shops like those specialising in lacquerware or traditional wave patterns. So when visitors came to our Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β, the pilots would also offer guidance around Nihonbashi. We’d always talked about how great it would be if one day, larger “Bunshin robot” OriHime could directly guide people around the city, a world where robots casually roam the streets as part of daily life.
“But realistically, having robots walking around the city isn’t something that’s likely to happen within the next few years. That led us to think: is there a way to create a job where pilots could still guide people physically, without needing a walking robot? That’s when we came up with the idea of having customers carry OriHime on their shoulders while exploring.”
Finding a way for “Bunshin robot” OriHime to accompany visitors
Before we started the tour, our correspondent gave us a list of things to pay attention to during the tour. These are practical tips that came useful during the walking tour. These include looking out for vehicles on the streets since our pilots’ views are limited, what to do should connection drop temporarily, and being careful not to be rough with the equipment.
The backpack was slightly smaller than we imagined it, and it was light enough to be comfortable on the shoulders. Although OriHime was placed on the right side, there is no feeling of an imbalance. There were straps to ensure the backpack is secure as I walked through the streets, too. All in all, the backpack is well-designed, though it took a bit of research and innovation for it to come to fruition.
Yoshifuji: “While we already had the idea to place OriHime on the shoulder, there were technical issues, as the robot would shake due to movement or slide forward. Eventually, we designed a backpack-style system. We explored attaching the robot to a school-style randoseru [traditional Japanese school backpack]. However, randoseru are surprisingly expensive. So instead, we used a 3D printer to create a supportive frame, inserted it into a commercially available backpack, and hypothesised that a more rigid backpack could work.
“We created a few prototypes and were able to design a very effective frame and backpack combination. Initially, I thought it might be awkward. After all, OriHime is fairly large and white, so it stands out. I assumed people might find it embarrassing to walk around with it on their shoulders. But to our surprise, foreign visitors responded very positively. They found the concept amusing and engaging, and liked the idea of being guided by a robot perched on their shoulder.“
Encouraged by the feedback from their participants, OryLab began running a trial service starting from late January this year.
Enjoying the cherry blossoms with a new friend
Before the monitor tour was launched, OryLab staff and pilots worked together to plan out a suitable course to take visitors through the Nihonbashi neighbourhood. Our pilot, Toma-chan, spoke good English, and was both attentive and friendly. In fact, we quickly got into a conversation, and I soon forgot I was speaking through OriHime.
The route was well-planned to take participants through the hidden cultural spots in Nihonbashi. Nihonbashi is a well-known area for its history of craftsmanship, and we visited local stores that are centuries old! I took the time to choose a toothbrush made at Edoya, a 300-year-old store with an expertise in making various brushes (by the way, the cosmetic brushes are recommended if you have a chance to visit!)
Toma-chan took us to three shrines around the neighbourhood, which we didn’t even know existed! She shared with us the history behind these shrines, and even walked us through what to do at each shrine, including cleansing our hands and offering a prayer at the shrines. We also got to learn about the neighbourhood, and some interesting stores in the vicinity.
We were right in the middle of the cherry blossoms’ full bloom too, so the journey took us to a number of locations with cherry blossoms, including the parks. While we were admiring the pink hues decorating the urban spaces, Toma-chan shared with us about herself.
Toma-chan: “I have muscular dystrophy, a progressive disease and will cause my body to eventually lose its movements. But right now I am able to explore the streets with you through OriHime. I started working with Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β last year, and I am not worried about my future.”
The cherry blossoms we saw together with Toma-chan were truly beautiful.
As we approached the famous Nihombashi Bridge, Toma-chan warned us about a possible drop in connection. It turns out connection becomes difficult nearer to bridge. We made backup plans: we’d enjoy the bridge, take photos, and should the connection drop, we can head to the Mitsukoshi Department Store across the street (the connection gets restored fully there, which was only about 50 meters away). For us, the connection didn’t drop. Instead, we figured that we had about a 5 second delay, and adjusted our conversation speed.
And that was another thing we found interesting. We were given a heads-up about the connection issue, and the pilots was more concerned about that than we were. It is understandable, especially for anyone not familiar with the surroundings. But as participants, we were more worried about how Toma-chan was doing, trying to assure her that we’d be fine and wondered how we could help in the situation.
We continued down the shopping street as Toma-chan shared more historic facts about the Mitsukoshi buildings. I was surprised I didn’t get more looks, save the curious stares from a few children. But whether it was the courtesy of others or not, I didn’t feel out of place or awkward.
As we made a circle back to the Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β, we realised time had passed really fast. Our correspondent was waiting for us, as we return the backpack and concluded the tour. We said our farewell to Toma-chan.
Toma-chan: “I am thankful for being able to bring you around on this tour. Working here with [OryLab] gives me the opportunity to work, and I hope this monitor tour will be successful.”
What’s next for OryLab and OriHime Tours?
OryLab wants to ensure the tour will be able to provide stable work for their pilots, and there is truly potential for this tour experience. But visionary Yoshifuji had already envisioned the future that OriHime can bring about.
Yoshifuji: “At our Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β, we have over 90 pilots registered with the lab and about 60 actively working at the cafe. However, the physical space of the cafe is limited. There are only so many customers who can visit, and only so many staff who can work at any one time. We realised that to grow, we’d either have to expand or find new ways to work that aren’t bound to a cafe.
“This OriHime-guided tour is one such opportunity. It opens up the potential for new types of jobs beyond serving inside a cafe. People who live in or know areas like Nihonbashi — or even other tourist destinations — might be able to work in this way. Even if they’re not locals, those who are willing to study and learn the area’s history could guide virtually or be trained using real-time footage captured by on-site staff.
“We’re currently developing training programmes to help those unable to visit in person achieve the same depth of knowledge, so they can guide as if they were actually there. In the future, we’d like to expand this concept globally — where Japanese speakers or locals familiar with a place could offer guided experiences in their own language, even in countries where they don’t speak the native tongue.”
Yoshifuji also shared with us how growing interest from visitors is helping OryLab pursue other dreams in enabling others.
Yoshifuji: “One of our original desires was to support people with visual impairments where OriHime could help guide people — say, finding a vending machine or hailing a taxi. We already had the idea of having OriHime beside someone with a visual disability dates nearly 10 years ago. But the cost of developing dedicated hardware just for that purpose was a huge barrier. Now, thanks to the development of our cafe and growing interest from international visitors, we’ve been able to take steps toward that vision.
“Looking ahead, we believe OriHime can support people with early-stage dementia or those with ADHD who might feel safer and more confident when someone is nearby. This could create completely new ways of working that weren’t previously accessible, but now possible through a collaborative ‘two-become-one’ working model, where the person and the robot function together.”
This is ichi-go ichi-e
The tour opened our eyes to the multiple possibilities of OriHime. After a cup of coffee to ruminate about what the future holds, I looked up and took in a precious moment in the cafe: every customer in the cafe was having a lively conversation with other pilots.
This is ichi-go ichi-e. Ichi-go ichi-e is a Japanese phrase that means “once-in-a-lifetime encounter”, and is often used to remind us that we should treasure each and every moment, for they are unique and will never occur again. It is also an exercise in mindfulness, to fully experience the preciousness of the moment. Even if I return to enjoy another guided tour with Toma-chan, this trip will not be replicated. And while there is nothing wrong with a new experience, I have connected with a new acquaintance and made discoveries that are only felt once. And the same goes for each visitor here.
OryLab’s Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β and Tour goes beyond creating a new work model for people with disabilities, beyond promoting diversity and inclusion, and beyond developing assistive technology. This is about being a human being, about having connections that we remind us to be appreciative of moments and encounters with others. While the physical face may be one of technology, behind that technology is ichi-go ichi-e, precious moments to connect with other human beings.
Interested in participating in the OriHime Guided Tour?
If you are interested in participating in the tour and give feedback to help develop the program, you can sign up here. Some tips for the tour:
- There is a very short lag depending on connection, so don’t turn or move too quickly so the pilot can more accurately give directions.
- Feedback to the pilot about the volume! They will be able to adjust volume according to location, so communication is key.
- Enjoy your time, and make conversation.
- The most important tip: remember to take a lot of selfies with your pilot!
[Website] Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β
[Website] OryLab Inc. Homepage
