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AI-Powered Virtual Human 'Imma' Now Capable of Real-Time Conversations

TOKYO, Dec 09 (News On Japan) - A virtual human with a lifelike appearance, designed to thrive in digital spaces such as social media, was unveiled to the press, showcasing its ability to engage in real-time conversations using cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI).

The virtual human, known as 'imma,' employs advanced 3D computer graphics technology to achieve a human-like appearance and aura. Imma is active as a social media influencer and a model for magazines, gaining significant attention in the digital sphere.

The virtual figure also made an appearance at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

With the integration of AI, imma can now generate conversational content based on past posts and interact in real time, rather than relying on pre-programmed dialogue.

According to Aww, the company behind imma’s development, virtual humans are expected to address workforce shortages by taking on roles in retail customer service and call center operations.

Source: ANN

Japanese National Confirmed Dead in Spain High-Speed Train Collision

Spanish authorities have confirmed that a Japanese national was among the 69 people killed in a collision between two high-speed trains in central Spain on October 28, while Japanese officials are continuing efforts to establish the identities of victims following the disaster, which also left about 200 people injured.

Typhoon No. 31 Moves Slowly West Near Ogasawara Islands

Typhoon No. 31, known internationally as In-fa, was moving slowly westward near the Ogasawara Islands at 15 kilometers per hour as of 6 a.m. on November 2, maintaining strong intensity and threatening to bring high waves, heavy rain and potentially violent winds to the remote island chain south of Tokyo.

Bear Collision Derails Express Train in Hokkaido

Train services remain suspended on part of the JR Soya Line in Hokkaido on November 2 after a limited express train collided with a brown bear and derailed in Nakagawa on the night of October 31, with replacement bus services beginning Monday morning between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.

Saturday Halloween Draws Revelers to Shibuya

Tokyo's Shibuya district was crowded with costumed revelers on October 31 as Halloween fell on a Saturday for the first time in six years, prompting the Metropolitan Police Department to deploy hundreds of officers and impose traffic restrictions around the area's famous scramble crossing.

Toyota to Launch Self-Driving Taxis in 2027

Toyota Motor will begin operating fully autonomous taxis in 2027 through a partnership with U.S. self-driving technology company Waymo, marking a major step in the Japanese automaker's efforts to expand driverless transportation services.

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