A café in Tokyo breaks barriers: people with disabilities serve the public through robots [Catalan]

Article by Jannay Valenzuela from Catalunyapress | Innovative Technology | Social Inclusion | Workplace Accessibility

In the heart of Tokyo, a groundbreaking café is redefining workplace inclusivity through an extraordinary technological approach. The 'Dawn Café' has developed a unique system where people with limited mobility can work remotely by controlling specialized robots that interact with customers in the physical café space.

These robots, called OriHime-D, are not autonomous machines but are instead controlled in real-time by individuals with conditions like cerebral palsy or neuromuscular disorders. Using advanced eye-tracking and facial recognition technologies, these workers can move the robots, take orders, and engage in friendly conversations with customers, all from the comfort of their own homes.

The initiative, created by Japanese company Ory Lab, represents more than just a technological marvel. It's a powerful statement about human potential and societal inclusion, demonstrating that people with physical disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the workforce when provided with appropriate tools and opportunities. The café has not only gone viral on social media but has also attracted attention from Japanese authorities and private businesses interested in replicating this innovative model.

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