TOKYO, Feb 13 (News On Japan) - East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has initiated a trial at Ikebukuro Station and other locations, employing avatar robots remotely operated by station staff to assist passengers with ticket purchases and other inquiries.
For a month starting from February 13th, JR East is conducting a verification experiment by placing avatar robots near the green ticket windows and ticket vending machines at Ikebukuro Station and Musashi-Mizonokuchi Station in Kawasaki City.
The experiment involves station personnel remotely using avatar robots to initiate interactions with customers, guiding them on how to purchase tickets.
JR East aims to identify challenges in operating robots and considers this technology as a potential solution to future labor shortages.
Source: ANN