Tomoyo MatsudaTelecommuting and remote working are trending in Japan as required work styles grow more diverse. In particular, with the urgent need to prevent coronavirus infection, telecommuting is receiving more attention. Employees are encouraged to work without having to go to the office.
Telecommuting caters to people with different circumstances, which can include childcare and nursing care. It allows them to continue working. However, telecommuting tends to lead to a lack communication with colleagues. Of course, one can communicate with them by holding online meetings, chatting and emailing using online tools. However, body language and mood are hard to convey. In addition, work that can be performed at home is limited in many cases.
How OriHime can tackle these problems
“OriHime” is an avatar robot developed by Ory Lab Inc., which conducts research, development, manufacturing and selling of communication technology.
“OriHime” is a robot with a built-in camera, microphone and speakers that can be remotely controlled via the Internet. The person who works from home operates “OriHime” remotely, and can freely move the field of view of “OriHime” or talk with other people in real time using an iPad or PC. You can also operate its hands and head, even using non-verbal communication with various gestures from applause to greeting.
The difference from traditional online meeting tools is that “OriHime” can connect a telecommuter and the office all the time and it enables a natural communication with the surrounding colleagues, as if a telecommuter were at the desk. This allows them to communicate as well from home as at office.
“OriHime” was developed in 2010, as assistive technology which allowed one to connect with family and friends even you were away from them. In 2012, current CEO Kentaro Yoshifuji presented a demonstration of “OriHime” at Stanford University’s E-Bootcamp. It is an entrepreneur development program for 100 selected undergraduate students that they could attend from the United States and abroad. Later, it was proposed as a business. In cooperation with universities and companies, “OriHime” was commercialized for various purposes, not just limited to welfare. NTT East, a Japanese telecommunications company, has introduced for telework use since 2015.
At present, about 500 “OriHime” units have been installed in about 80 companies. Ory Lab Inc. is also promoting remote work, and is currently conducting a campaign to allow monthly use. “OriHime” can be rented for 40,000 yen per month.
OriHime doesn’t only promote diverse workstyles in the office
Ory Lab Inc. also developed “OriHime-D”, an avatar robot with a total height of about 120 cm. It enables workers to perform tasks involving physical labor remotely, such as waiting on customers and carrying objects. People who have mobility concerns can serve customers in cafes remotely, and conducting business operations remotely moving on the site with “OriHime-D”. Although it has not yet been put into practical use, they are conducting business development and research with various companies and research institutions. The “avatar robot cafe” using “OriHime-D” has been held four times so far.
Technological advances have increased what we can do without being in the office. However, the most important factor is not the technology itself. Rather, it is the passion of developers who want to enable us to share the same time with the family, friends and colleagues, despite the distance. I hope that this passion will create technologies that enable more diverse ways of working.
[Website] OriHime[Website] OriHime-D
