Japanese Convenience Store

Tests Robot Workers

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Vocabulary
Japanese Convenience Store Tests Robot Workers

Japanese convenience store chain Family Mart is testing using robot workers to stock its
shelves.

The convenience store industry in Japan has had problems getting enough staff, reports
SoraNews24, so many companies are using technology to find ways of running their
businesses with fewer employees.

Earlier this year, Lawson opened its first cashier-free store, where there are still staff to
stock the shelves, but customers pay for their shopping with an app.

Family Mart is now testing the Model-T robot. Made by Telexistence, it is named after the
Ford Model T, the first car that was cheap enough for the average worker to afford.
Telexistence says the robot isn't expensive to produce and is easy to control using virtual
reality (VR).
A video of the robot being tested shows a "pilot" in Telexistence's office in Toranomon
using VR to control a Model-T in a Family Mart in Toshima ward, about 8 kilometers
away. The robot copies how the pilot moves, picking up bottles and putting them on a
shelf.

Telexistence says the technology will let one pilot work in many different stores from a
single location. It will also allow store staff to stay at the counter without having to
worry about stocking the shelves.

At first, the Model-T will be used to stock plastic drink bottles from behind fridges in
stores. But later, the robots may be used to stock other products, like rice balls,
sandwiches and bento boxes.

Family Mart plans to have the Model-T in up to 20 stores by 2022.

Questions

1.What was the Model-T robot named after?

2.Is the Model-T expensive to make?

3.What will Family Mart be using the Model-T

for?
Discussion
1. What are your thoughts on Telexistence's Model-T robot?

2. Do you expect robots to become commonly used in stores in the near future? Why? Why not?

3. What parts of your job could be made easier with the help of a robot? Please explain your
answer.

4. Are there any cashier-free stores where you live? If so, how often do you shop there? If not,
do you think they'd be popular?

5. How often do you go grocery shopping? Please explain your answer.

Further Discussion

1. What new technologies do you find most exciting?

Why?
2. Have you had a chance to interact with a robot? If so,
please share your experience.
3. If you had a personal robot, what jobs or tasks would
you get it to do? Why?
4. Are robots used in your line of work? If so, what are
they mainly used for? If not, do you think they should
be?
5. Do you think you'd enjoy working in robotics? Why?
Why not?
https://engoo.com/app/daily-news/article/japanese-
convenience-store-tests-robot-workers/
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