High-tech help
Read the following story form the Bangkok Pot. Then, answer the questions that following.
Humanoid robots have started work in a bank in Tokyo and hotel in the southwestern island of Kyushu. There is a growing demand for them as many people are concerned about a labor
Shortage in Japan’s aging society.
ANIMATED TOOL
Softbank Group’s Corp’s “Pepper” robot made its debut recently at a branch of Mizuho Bank in central Tokyo. It entertained customers, providing, financial knowledge and proposing insurance products.
“You can consult Mizuho Bank about making more money, ” Pepper said, in a voice similar to a Japanese comic storyteller.
“There is an image that banks are stiff and unwelcoming. We would like to increase demand for finance by the use of a friendly Pepper,” Tetsuhiko Saito, senior managing executive officer of Mizuho Financial Group Inc., told reporters.
PR PLAN
Mizuho Bank plans to introduce Pepper in four more branches in Tokyo and the neighboring Kanagawa prefecture in August. The humanoid robots are able to attend to customers by using an artificial intelligence (AT) technique, the bank said.
Meanwhile, a woman-shaped robot speaking Japanese and a dinosaur robot speaking English welcome customers at the front park in Sasebo, Nagasaki prefecture. The Hen-na Hotel also has a porter-like robot that carries bags to guest rooms.