ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Two Japanese accessibility innovators from the Zero Project Technology Forum in Tokyo: OryLab, whose OriHime robots let homebound disabled people go to work and school, and Miruoto, which turns the sound of sport into words on screen for deaf fans.
Maria Juul, a Dane who has lived in Japan for more than ten years, explains OryLab's mission to eliminate loneliness. Its OriHime robots are always driven by a real person, called a pilot, and she explains why being present in the room creates memories and relationships in a way a video call does not.
Steven asks Maria to describe the robots for a blind audience: a 23 centimetre tabletop unit with penguin-wing arms and a face shaped like a Japanese theatre mask, and a 120 centimetre robot that serves drinks in OryLab's Tokyo café. She covers how AI plays a supporting role only, a six month café trial in Denmark, pilots who now earn enough to come off disability support, and the price of around 6,500 euros outside Japan.
Reiko Katayama of the Tokyo design company Hogaku answers in Japanese, with an English translation. Miruoto was built over two and a half years for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, from ideas given by Hogaku's deaf and hard of hearing staff, and uses manga-style onomatopoeia to show the crack of a table tennis ball and the atmosphere of a match. She explains how it differs from Fujitsu's station sounds project, and her plans to take it into live music.
Chapters
0:00 – Welcome to Zero Project Tokyo
1:15 – Maria Juul and OryLab's mission to end loneliness
4:12 – Why presence matters more than video calls
8:41 – What the OriHime robots look and sound like
11:26 – Loneliness, employment and the robot café
15:02 – Where AI fits, and working with pilots
17:29 – Denmark, new pilots and the cost of OriHime
21:52 – Reiko Katayama and Miruoto
25:41 – Onomatopoeia, manga and Deaflympics feedback
27:44 – Station sounds and what's next for Miruoto
Relevant Links
OryLab: https://orylab.com/en/
Miruoto: https://miruoto.jp
Zero Project Technology Forum: https://zeroproject.org/initiatives/the-zero-project-technology-forum
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
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