Japan is betting on delivery robots that will be “humble and adorable”.

“Sorry, I’m about to pass,” the four-wheeled robot says as it dodges pedestrians on a suburban sidewalk. Tokyo during a functional test.

Starting this April mini robot You will start a “professional” life as a delivery man and relieve many companies suffering from labor shortages.

In April, the traffic law, which allows handling of delivery robots autonomous driving through the streets of the country.

The inventors are convinced that robots help older people in sparsely populated rural areas gain access to goods and services.

But there are still hurdles, including security ones, and there is a long way to go before they become widespread, says Hisashi Taniguchi, president of robotics firm ZMP.

“They are new in human society, so it is natural that they are perceived with some discomfort,” he told AFP.

robots They will be controlled remotely by people who can intervene if necessary.

Taniguchi considered it important that robots they are “humble and sweet” to inspire confidence.

ZMP associated with such giants Postal holdings of Japan test the robots Tokyo.

your robot”deliro” has a charming appearance with large expressive eyes that can water if a pedestrian blocks her way.

“All the boys here know his name,” he said.

Robots to help the elderly

Japan one of the oldest populations in the world lives here: about 30% are over 65 years old. Many live in sparsely populated rural areas where there is no easy access to basic necessities.

Labor shortages in cities and new rules limiting truckers’ working hours are making it difficult for companies to meet delivery needs.

“The shortage of workers in the transport sector will be a problem going forward,” said engineer Dai Fujikawa of electronics giant Panasonic, which is testing delivery robots in China. Tokyo and neighboring Fujisawa.

“I hope our robots used where needed to alleviate labor shortages,” he said. AFP.

robots Similar ones are used in countries such as the UK and China, but have raised concerns in Japan about the possibility of collisions and theft.

The rules set a maximum speed of 6 km/h, so “the chances of injury in a collision are relatively low,” said Yutaka Uchimura, a robotics engineer at the Shibaura Institute of Technology (ITS).

If he robot “Running off the sidewalk and colliding with a vehicle due to a mismatch between pre-set location information and the actual environment, which can be very disturbing,” he said.

The man in Fujisawa’s control center is simultaneously watching four robots through the cameras and is automatically alerted when the device stops due to an obstacle, according to Fujikawa.

In such cases, a person intervenes, as well as in high-risk areas such as intersections.

At the moment, tests have been carried out on the delivery of medicines and food to the residents of the city. Fujisawaor sell sandwiches in Tokyo with lines like: “Another cold day, right? How about hot drinks?

Robots in everyday life: little by little

“I think it’s a great idea,” Naoko Kamimura, a passer-by, commented after buying cough drops from Hakobo in Tokyo.

“With robots, you can shop more casually. When you have nothing to buy, you can leave without feeling guilty,” he said.

The authorities rule out that the Japanese streets are full of robotsgiven the pressure to protect a person’s employment.

“The spread of robots will be a gradual process,” he said. AFP Hiroki Kanda, Technology Promotion Officer at the Ministry of Commerce.

Experts like Uchimura at ITS are aware of the limitations of the technology.

“Even the simplest task for a human can be difficult to follow. robots”, he commented.

Please note that with robots sparsely populated areas would initially be safer, although companies believe that they are more cost-effective in cities.

Taniguchi, president of ZMP, expects to see cars everywhere. “Japan loves robots,” he said.

AFP