Robots serving customers and salespeople touting their wares online could become the norm as businesses roll out initiatives that eliminate the need for face-to-face contact in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Implementing measures that are a step ahead of government policy and industry-group guidelines, businesses have forged new styles of commerce, utilizing such technology as artificial intelligence.
A 1-meter tall autonomous robot welcomes customers at a model home, weaving around pieces of furniture as it leads customers to different rooms in the building. Tokyo-based house builder Aqura Home Co. has been using robots since April at 17 sales sites nationwide.
Customers can speak to a salesperson directly by touching the robot's display, after which a member of staff will appear on the screen to respond to any queries. Sales staff can manipulate the robot via remote control.
The company first considered utilizing robots for the benefit of prospective customers who may not appreciate being accompanied around a model home by a salesperson. The company expedited the launch of the service in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The response has been favorable, according to the company, with customers saying that the explanations are easy to understand despite having to communicate via a display.
Senior Link Communication Co., a door-to-door retailer that sells goods for senior citizens, started selling products online in May this year.
The Fukushima-based company uses web conferencing services to communicate with prospective customers in various parts of the country, making use of the about 600 items stocked at its office.
As sales staff have not been able to visit elderly care facilities due to the pandemic, the company's transportation costs have been drastically reduced and it has passed these cost reductions onto its customers, with prices of some products 30%-40% lower than usual, according to the firm.
Within two weeks of using the web conferencing system, the firm had connected with more than 10 care homes across Japan.
On May 22, Senior Link salesperson Ayako Baba, 37, was using the web conferencing system to show off the company's products to Sadako Suzuki, 86, a resident of a nursing home in Koriyama in the prefecture.
"It'll suit you," Baba said, holding up a mauve vest.
"It's a beautiful color," replied Suzuki, who spent about 30 minutes on the call. "It's been a long time since I've been able to shop while enjoying conversation," she said.
An outlet of supermarket chain Food Land Leo Honda in Chiba has a screen at its entrance that displays information about the number of shoppers in the store. AI-equipped technology calculates the number of shoppers based on footage captured by cameras at entrances and exits.
"Admission restricted" and "Admission permitted," are automatically screened on the board depending on the number of customers in the store, and customers can check the status online before they visit.
"The new system helps to limit crowding," shop manager Toyokazu Terasawa said.
BiZright Technology, the Tokyo-based developer of the system, said it has received inquiries from other types of businesses, including event companies, hospitals and libraries.
The use of disinfectant solution as a measure to prevent the spread of the virus is becoming widespread.
Auto parts manufacturer Bushu Kogyo Co. in Ome City, Tokyo, has started manufacturing a pedal-operated device that enables users to apply disinfectant without having to touch the bottle.
When the pedal of the almost 1-meter-tall contraption is pressed, the pump on top of the bottle is pushed and disinfectant is released.
Priced at 16,500 yen and weighing just four kilograms, about 2,000 orders of the product have been received from such businesses as beauty parlors, amusement parks and kindergartens.
The company said that an employee came up with the idea after noticing that some people were reluctant to use disinfectant pumps for public use due to hygiene fears.
With orders for parts down 30% from the previous year due to the coronavirus epidemic, the company embraced the idea.
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