Autonomous robots were on the job at JR Takanawa Gateway Station in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Monday, disinfecting handrails and performing other tasks in a demonstration for reporters.
East Japan Railway Co. regards the station, a new facility on its JR Yamanote Line, as a hub for showcasing its latest technologies and has presented experiments with robots and artificial intelligence there in the past.
To help prevent new infections with the coronavirus, JR East is planning to introduce nine different types of robots that carry out various tasks, such as disinfection and luggage transport. It will test their effectiveness by operating them through September at relatively uncrowded times of day.
Three types of robots were used in the demonstration Monday. The disinfecting robots automatically moved around the station and sprayed disinfectant on handrails, while other robots delivered luggage and coffee.
"We're trying to make our stations a safer place by using the latest technologies, so our customers can use the stations with even more peace of mind," said an official in charge.
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