00:00 [ Music ]
00:10 >> Robots seem to be everywhere these days.
00:13 They support and help us in so many ways, but only with actions
00:19 that have been programmed into them.
00:21 Today more than ever, we're working remotely
00:26 and consuming our entertainment online.
00:29 And there's a need for a new type of robot.
00:32 And here it is, the avatar robot lets you be virtually present
00:39 at any location to communicate and interact at a distance.
00:42 Let's look at an example in this Tokyo office building.
00:49 This is Yugo, an avatar robot that takes care
00:55 of building security.
00:56 Yugo is remotely operated by a human security guard.
01:02 A game type controller makes this simple to do.
01:07 But Yugo does far more than just patrol the building.
01:14 Is anything wrong, sir?
01:16 I suddenly feel sick.
01:21 It's capable of responding to any problem that occurs.
01:24 Yugo's developer, Matsui Ken, focused especially
01:31 on adding functionality to this robot's arms.
01:34 Each arm has seven drive shards,
01:40 allowing for a complex range of motions.
01:45 And Yugo's built-in artificial intelligence allows it to learn
01:48 by imitating human actions.
01:51 For example, you only need to show Yugo once how
01:57 to clean a toilet bowl.
01:59 After that, the robot is able to do it alone.
02:05 The current situation with COVID-19 means
02:07 that maintaining services while minimizing human contact has
02:11 become incredibly important.
02:14 We need alternative ways to do many jobs.
02:17 Even if you have to stay at home,
02:21 these robots can give you a virtual presence
02:23 at your company.
02:24 This robot, called NewMe, allows people at remote locations
02:31 to talk to each other face-to-face,
02:33 almost as if they were in the office together.
02:36 Hello. I couldn't attend the meeting yesterday.
02:44 Can you share the minutes with me?
02:47 Sure, I'll email them now.
02:51 NewMe is finding roles outside the office, too.
02:58 This aquarium in Kagawa displays over 130 types of marine life.
03:03 It's a very popular attraction.
03:07 These friends have come to the aquarium from Tokyo.
03:11 Actually, the original plan was for three of them
03:13 to make the trip.
03:16 But one had to cancel due to an urgent job.
03:23 Determined not to miss out on the aquarium,
03:25 she decided to use NewMe.
03:31 What? Is that you?
03:34 Did I surprise you?
03:35 We didn't expect this.
03:39 She can't be there in person, but she can share the experience
03:42 through NewMe's eyes.
03:46 It's so close. Cute.
03:49 Look at its mouth.
03:52 That's amazing.
03:58 Avatar robots have now even made it into space.
04:07 In May 2020, the first Avatar robot was carried up
04:10 to the International Space Station.
04:15 One plan for it is to let people on Earth look down
04:17 on the planet through its eyes.
04:22 I want to allow anyone to virtually go anywhere.
04:25 Your body stays where it is, but your mind moves with the robot.
04:28 Suddenly, even outer space becomes accessible to everyone.
04:32 It's a very exciting prospect.
04:36 By eliminating the limits of space and time,
04:39 Avatar robots are liberating us,
04:43 opening a world of experiences we could never have imagined.
04:47 Avatar Robots, the New Robot.
04:49 Avatar Robots, the New Robot.
04:51 Avatar Robots, the New Robot.
04:53 Avatar Robots, the New Robot.
04:55 Avatar Robots, the New Robot.
04:57 (bell chimes)
05:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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