Japan’s Convenience Stores: Robots on Shelves, Piloted from the Philippines
In a remarkable display of technological ingenuity and cross-border collaboration, Japanese convenience stores are now employing artificial intelligence robots to restock shelves, with these machines being operated remotely by a dedicated workforce located thousands of miles away in Manila, Philippines. This innovative approach offers a strategic workaround for Japan’s pressing labor challenges.
Remote Robotics: A Solution to Japan’s Labor Shortage
Deep within a multi-story office in Manila’s bustling financial district, approximately 60 young professionals are at the forefront of this remote operation. Their task: to diligently monitor and control AI-powered robots that meticulously restock merchandise in distant Japanese convenience stores. Designed by Tokyo-based startup Telexistence, these advanced robots leverage robust Nvidia and Microsoft platforms. Since 2022, Telexistence has successfully deployed its robot workforce in the backrooms of over 300 FamilyMart and Lawson outlets across Tokyo, with plans underway to expand this integration to 7-Eleven stores soon. The robots’ movements are observed around the clock by employees of Astro Robotics, a robot-workforce startup based in Manila. Should a robot encounter a minor hitch, such as dropping a product, the Manila-based operators can quickly intervene, donning a virtual-reality headset and using joysticks to guide the bot and resolve the issue. This sophisticated system directly addresses Japan’s critical worker shortage, a demographic challenge exacerbated by an aging population and a cautious stance on expanding immigration.
This novel model of retail automation not only showcases the power of remote operations but also highlights how technology can bridge geographical gaps to solve labor market inefficiencies. By combining cutting-edge robotics with a skilled global workforce, Japan is pioneering a future where convenience store operations are seamless, efficient, and resilient against demographic shifts, potentially inspiring similar innovative solutions in diverse markets worldwide, including rapidly developing tech landscapes in regions like Africa.
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