AssetID: 40823743
Headline: Robot Begins Work At Convenience Store; Hopes To Replace Humans By 2022
Caption: A robot has begun work at a Japanese convenience store. The Telexistence Model-T is seen stacking shelves in a FamilyMart shop in the Toshima area of Tokyo. It is hoped the units will replace human workers fulfilling the same role by 2022. In the trial operation on 26 August, the pilot logged into the robot using a VR terminal from the Telexistence (TX) office in Toranomon, Tokyo to remotely operate the Model-T. The testing of the Model-T and Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP) seeks to build a new store operation model using remote control robot technology. TX and FamilyMart explain: “With Model-T and AWP, FamilyMart and TX aim to realise a completely new store operation by remoteizing and automating the merchandise restocking work, which requires a large number of labour-hours. As a result, stores can operate with less number of workers and enable them to recruit employees regardless of the store’s physical location.” The company say the first step will see TX start remotely operating the restocking of PET plastic beverage bottles from the backyard storage area of the store, which makes up a relatively large portion of the workload in the store, and also verify the restocking speed and accuracy of the robot. The companies say: “Going forward, FamilyMart and TX will continue to expand the items to be handled by the robot to other product categories, such as rice balls, sandwiches and bento boxes, and aim to deploy the Model-T in up to 20 stores franchised by TX by 2022.” In the meantime, TX will continue aiming to introduce Model-T to a broader franchise network and eventually cover all FamilyMart stores. By introducing Model-T into stores, FamilyMart store staff will be able to work in multiple stores from a remote location, which will “help solve challenges around labour shortage and help create new job opportunities.” One benefit proposed is the reduction of human-to-human contact to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Through this corporate alliance, FamilyMart will seek to further improve the convenience of its customers, reduce the operational burden on store employees and work towards realising an innovative store operation model for the new era,” they add.
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