Japan city to try avatar robots to help students struggling to attend school
SHIMOTSUKE, Tochigi -- The municipal government in this eastern Japan city will introduce avatar robots as part of a new support program for children
In the city of Shimotsuke, located in eastern Japan, the local government plans to introduce avatar robots as a new support program for children who are reluctant to attend school or suffer from social anxiety. This pilot program, set to launch on September 1 following the summer break, will mark the first use of such technology for school attendance support in Tochigi Prefecture.
The robot, named OriHime, is a small white device approximately 20 centimeters tall. It is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, allowing students to remotely control its movements via a tablet or smartphone. This enables them to observe and hear what is happening at school in real-time while also communicating through voice or chat.
The robot can also perform 20 preset movements, such as moving its head to scan the surroundings or raising its hand to signal others, aiming to create a sense of presence and engagement for the user.
These robots will be positioned at the municipal school education support center, a facility utilized by students facing challenges with school attendance. Through the robot, students can engage in card games with peers, as if they were physically present in the classroom, or participate in consultations with support staff. The Shimotsuke Municipal Government hopes that this initiative will alleviate the psychological burden on children by providing a system that connects them with society from a safe environment and gradually encourages their return to in-person school attendance or face-to-face counseling sessions.
To participate in this pilot program, applications will open on September 1, and a four-month evaluation period will be conducted to assess the robot's effectiveness. Mayor Tetsuya Sakamura expressed his hope that this initiative will serve as a stepping stone, helping children gradually transition to in-person school attendance and counseling based on their individual needs. He emphasized the city's commitment to building a warm support system that leaves no one behind.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
