Lawson’s first futuristic avatar-staffed convenience store opens in Tokyo
Lawson Japan has opened 'Green Lawson' in Tokyo, its first convenience store staffed by on-screen avatars remotely controlled by employees. Aiming to solve manpower shortages and building a society where everyone can play an active role, this initiative makes it possible for even those with mobility issues to work. 'Green Lawson' is a sustainable store that tackles on social issues (e.g. food loss, plastic waste) with eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives, such as this avatar customer service and eliminating usage of plastic bags and cutleries. Click the link for more. Related...
AI human washing machine on its way for Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 in Japan
Science, a Japanese technology company specializing in bathroom and kitchen innovation, is developing a washing machine for human, aiming to complete it for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025.This human washing machine will use the latest "fine bubble technology"*1, a variety of monitoring sensors and an artificial intelligence (AI) system to create the most relaxing environment adapted to the user, to help heal your body and mind. Slated for 13 April–13 Oct. 2025, Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 will be held on the Yumeshima Island in the bay of Osaka, where many futuristic and...
Medicine vending machine to appear in rural areas in Japan after test at Shinjuku Station
A medicine vending machine was installed in JR Shinjuku Station on a trial basis until the end of August. (more…)
Real-time shade map to avoid Japan’s blazing summer heat
click photo to enlarge Navitime Japan, a prominent Japanese navigation service provider, has launched 'Hikage Map' (=Shade Map) on its walking application ALKOO by NAVITIME for Android OS. (more…)
Subway station in Osaka to fully run on renewable energy with film-type perovskite solar cell
JR West Japan announced to install 'film-type perovskite solar cells' in the Umekita (Osaka) subway station, due to open in spring 2023. (more…)
Launch of rooftop solar generation business in Malaysia
Skye Energy, through its subsidiary Skye Renewables Malaysia, will install a solar power generation system on the roof of the EduCity Complex 1, located in EduCity Iskandar, and provide the generated electricity to Iskandar Education Enterprise, the owner of the university facility. The project will transform the energy consumption model at the facility, and both companies have agreed to accelerate the trial of further efforts towards the realisation of a sustainable campus.
AI guide with same-time translation at 4 JR stations
Four JR Yamanote Line stations (Shinagawa, Shibuya, Ikebukuro and Akihabara) have installed an AI avatar guide, AI Sakura-san, to assist passengers accessing the stations. (more…)
Automated driving mobility service might start in Japan
WHILL Inc. autonomous driving mobility service demonstration experiment at Narita Airport will start. It is a new attempt at "WHILL Automatic Driving Mobility Service". According to research by WHILL, this case is the world's first experiment in which self-driving personal mobility carries a person to move all from the departure point to the target boarding gate by automatic driving across all floors.
Biomass oil from Malaysian peat! Japan’s euglena unveils groundbreaking findings
Image is for illustrative purposes Japanese bio-venture euglena Co, Ltd with RIKEN (a large Japanese research institute) and a Malaysian university research team succeeded in identifying and isolating a new lipid-producing, acid-tolerant algae: Tetratostichococcus, from Malaysian peatlands.The research results have been published in the Journal of Applied Phycology (22 May 2022). (more…)
New Osaka station to get world’s first mobile platform doors in spring 2023
JR West Japan, a railway operator in western Japan, revealed a new state-of-the-art platform screen door to the public. (more…)
AI security robot now on guard at Narita Airport
AI-based security robots are now on the move at Narita Airport, a gateway to the skies of Japan. (more…)
Shibuya 2026, Japan’s first major wooden shopping mall
Image after construction (storefront) Shibuya Crossing is perhaps the most famous spot for foreign tourists among Tokyo tourist attractions. The shopping mall Shibuya Marui, a 3-minute walk from there, will temporarily close on 28 August 2022, with plans to reopen in 2026 as Japan's first genuine wooden shopping complex. (more…)