If you have ever been to Japan, you have surely noticed the enormous presence that AI robots have in Japanese society. Not only in fiction -animes, movies and so on- but in the streets of big cities like Tokyo: they are more present in shops, restaurants or shows than anywhere else in the world.
However, the intention of the Japanese now goes further. Despite the skepticism of many experts regarding the development of robotics, it has emerged a new project that aims to bring physical robots to offices, as if they were normal employees. Why now, what is the purpose of this and what consequences could it have?
Japan wants to have robots with AI in offices
It has been two Japanese giants, SoftBank and Yaskawa Electric, who have agreed on an ambitious project to say the least: they want to develop what they have called «Physical AI.» Or what is the same, robots with AI that work in offices, hospitals or any other place with human presence. Does it sound like science fiction? Well, the initiative is very real.
Its intention is to combine Yaskawa’s robotics with SoftBank’s communications and AI network. Thus, «multi-skill» robots would be born capable of moving around offices, managing inventories, responding to internal requests, retrieving objects, performing logistical tasks, etc. That is, doing all kinds of jobs that require interactions with people, in a way similar to people.
In a certain sense, as detailed in international media, those responsible for the project do not see this as an innovation, but practically as a first-order necessity. It is no secret that Japan has a serious birth crisis, and that a good part of its population is aging.. This way they would achieve a solution to fill positions that will be unattended.
It is important, however, to make clear how ambitious the plan is. This time the aim is not to automate factories, as has been done for decades with industrial robots, but to create humanoid models that replicate human behavior. It is not enough to repeat scheduled tasks, but the ability to adapt to any unforeseen event is required.
Is it possible to carry out a project like this?
Despite the enthusiasm of those who want Japan to be filled (even more) with robots, in this case professionals, not all experts agree in their optimism. In fact, some of the leading robotics specialists insist that Controlled environments are one thing and expecting machines to act in unpredictable environments is another.
Not to mention another added problem. Despite being one of the most technological countries in the world, Japan is also a very traditional place. To the point that floppy disks and obsolete technology are still used in the rest of the world. How would a society so little given to change receive such a revolution?