Panasonic introduces service ROBOTS to Tokyo Narita Airport - and if the trial goes well they could appear at the 2020 Olympics

The HOSPI service robots are greeting customers and clearing away plates
Panasonic has introduced the robots to help combat 'labour shortages' in Japan
The robots are autonomous and fitted with sensors to help them avoid obstacles

Published: 11:44 EST, 27 January 2017 | Updated: 15:56 EST, 27 January 2017

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If you're passing through Tokyo Narita Airport, there's a good chance your pre-flight dinner could be cleared up by a robot.

Panasonic has started testing its HOSPI service robots at the airport to help combat 'labour shortages' in Japan.

The firm hopes if the Dalek-style robots are a success in the airport, they could be drafted in to help deal with the influx of tourists for the 2020 Olympics.

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Panasonic has begun testing service robots at the international airport to help combat 'labour shortages' in Japan

HOSPI SERVICE ROBOTS

The robots were originally developed to be used in healthcare, delivering drugs around hospitals.

Pre-installed mapping information allows HOSPI to move autonomously.

An on-board sensor helps it to move around avoiding obstacles, and stop if a person suddenly runs in front of it.

The robots are now being trialled both at Narita International Airport, and at the nearby ANA Crowne Plaza Narita hotel.

Panasonic's HOSPI service robots were originally developed to be used in healthcare, delivering drugs around hospitals.

But the robots are now being trialled both at Narita International Airport, and at the nearby ANA Crowne Plaza Narita hotel.

HOSPI can move autonomously thanks to pre-installed mapping information.

It also has a high-performance sensor on board, which helps it to move around avoiding obstacles and stop if a person suddenly runs in front of it.

'As we head towards 2020, Japan will welcome more visitors from overseas, and also face labour shortages as the birth rate declines and society ages,' said Ryosuke Murai, a manager at the Robotics Business Promotion Department at Panasonic.

'With our personal care robots, we, at Panasonic, hope to realize a safe, secure lifestyle.'

The robots will take part in a five-day trial at the airport, during which time customers will be asked to answer a questionnaire about the practicality of using the robot.

The firm hopes that if the Dalek-style robots are a success in the airport, they could be drafted in to help deal with the influx of tourists for the 2020 Olympics

HOSPI can move autonomously thanks to pre-installed mapping information. It also has a high-performance sensor on board, which helps it to move around avoiding obstacles, and halt if a person suddenly runs in front of it

Speaking to Japan News, an airport operator official said: 'We aim to find services that can be handled by robots to prepare for envisioned labour shortages due to population declines, as well as the expected increase in the number of passengers for the Tokyo Olympics.'

At the moment there are no plans to introduce the HOPI to the Narita International Airport and nearby hotel permanently.

WORKPLACE ACTIVITIES WITH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR AUTOMATION

In a recent report, researchers looked at many factors of workplace automation, including the 'technical feasibility' of certain activities.

Based on this factor, certain jobs were at greater risk, including:

59 percent of manufacturing activities could be automated. Within this field, the researchers say 90 percent of the activities of welders, cutters, solderers and brazers could be done by a robot
73 percent of activities in food service and accommodations could be automated
53 percent of retail work could be automated; 47 percent of the salesperson’s job could be automated, while 86 percent of bookkeepers, accountant and auditing clerks has this potential

They also detailed the activities with low potential for automation:

Education
Healthcare, especially those which require expertise and direct contact with patients, like dental hygienist
'Knowledge work,' including management jobs