Robots

Today we went for tea in a robot cafe. Originally I was going to book another robot cafe , as featured in Jane Macdonald visits Japan. When doing a search though, I came across this alternative so we headed there for our booking at 5.00 pm.

The cafe has mini robots on each table. Each robot is controlled remotely by an individual, and they take your order , and chat to you and interact with you for the time you are there. All robot ' pilots' are individuals who, for various reasons, are unable to leave their home and physically go to a place of work. This arrangement means that they can be employed , and also not isolated from having no opportunity to interact with others in a work place setting. Our 'pilot' lives 600 km from Tokyo and is a full time carer for her adult daughter who had a debilitating condition..Unable to physically attend a workplace she has secured employment with the company and interacts with customers as the robot's mouthpiece . In addition her daughter is also employed and does the same role for one or two hours a day. We had a good chat, and then our meal arrived and she returned once we'd finished. In the meantime our drinks were brought to the table by a full sized robot who also stops by for a chat. And you are greeted on entry by a robot 'maitre de.'

What a fantastic idea , and a blueprint that is such a hit with customers and so inspiring to try and end isolation and barriers to work for individuals facing double circumstances. Pilot for Welsh Government.....???

Back to the hotel, (still have some jet lag effects) , a few beers for Chris and I and hoping that we're not wide awake at 2.30 pm tonight. 🤞