JR West Starts Testing Info Service Robots

October 2, 2018

Osaka- West Japan Railway Co. on Tuesday started testing Japanese and foreign-language information services using robots featuring artificial intelligence.

The railway operator, known as JR West, hopes that the use of the robots will shorten the waiting time for customers at inquiry offices at stations.

The test, which will last until mid-November, uses four types of such robots installed near information offices at Osaka and Kyoto stations.

The robots can explain the way to some 100 locations, including well-known sightseeing spots and bathrooms at the stations.

JR West will check whether the robots can properly serve people who speak with strong accents as well as operate in noisy locations. Jiji Press