Another guide that sparks conversation: A new visitor experience created by humans and robots working together - Demonstration of temi's use at Knowledge Capital's "The Lab."
A place called "The World's Best Research Institute for Everyone"
Located in the North Building of Grand Front Osaka in Osaka, The Lab. (officially known as The Lab. World's Best Research Institute for Everyone) is a "demonstration experiment space" where companies, universities, and research institutions can bring in prototypes of cutting-edge technologies and receive direct, real-world feedback from general visitors.
The Lab.'s concept is "A place where the world's greatest excitement is born, where we create the future with everyone's power." Participants exhibiting at booths will experiment together with visitors and discover new value together.
At The Lab., we value the communicators' interaction with visitors, drawing out their interest and insights into the exhibits. Temi is not meant to replace this role, but rather to serve as a catalyst for visitors to stop and start conversations with communicators, acting as a bridge between people and exhibits, and between people and technology.
This isn't the first time iPresence has collaborated with Knowledge Capital. They have previously conducted trials with remotely controlled robots "kubi" and "Double," exploring new ways to connect with visitors.
Now, by using temi, which is equipped with a wider range of functions such as autonomous navigation using maps, sequential guidance, and follow-me functionality, we are conducting new demonstrations that further develop our previous efforts.
Communicators as "catalysts"
The Lab. has a team of specialist staff called "communicators" on hand. Their role isn't simply to explain the exhibits. They act as catalysts, connecting people, things, and information, creating a chemical reaction among visitors.
The job of a communicator is to engage with visitors, further develop their encounters and experiences, and feed back the voices of ordinary people to the participants—to keep this loop going. A new member has joined this team of communicators: temi.
What does temi do? — Three roles
① Follow function
They follow behind the communicators and visitors. The moment they notice, "It looks like someone is following them. How cute," becomes the starting point for a conversation.
② Exhibition guide by Kuroko Takara
The co-created character introduces the exhibition booth. Temi handles the standard explanations, while the communicator facilitates deeper conversations.
③ Move to a different location
Movement to each booth can be done with a single touch.We can accommodate monthly changes to the exhibits.
"We're not making things easier, we're improving the quality."
Nakanishi (Knowledge Capital): "Our role at temi isn't to reduce the number of demonstrators. Insights are gained through human interaction. We want temi to be the first step in communication with visitors and to provide an opportunity to get to know them better."
Nakanishi (Knowledge Capital): "A major factor is that the communicators are taking the 'first step' in communicating with visitors."
The three-tiered model envisioned by this facility is clear.
This is why temi is about "improving quality, not replacing it."
Guided by virtual avatar Kuroko Takara
"Kuroko Takara," who graces the screen of temi, is an original virtual character born from a co-creation project between Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and Knowledge Capital, and was made into a 3D avatar in collaboration with Osaka Electro-Communication University.
Characters born from co-creation are actually moving and speaking, powered by robots from co-creation partners. Co-creation is unfolding in real time on the floor of The Lab.
Visitor feedback is provided through communicators.
This process of continuously exploring "how to best utilize temi" on-site is the very essence of The Lab.'s concept of "knowledge circulation." The collaboration between iPresence and Knowledge Capital extends beyond the exhibition booth, operating across the entire The Lab. laboratory.
Next Chapter — A New Experience Created by Craftsmen and temi
The Lab. is currently undertaking a new experiment. It's creating a space for "product sales x experience" where artisans from local factories and creators of traditional industries come to the facility, talk directly with visitors, and sell their products on the spot. It's a new form of commerce where creators and users meet, with artisans speaking directly and visitors listening to their stories before making a purchase.
With temi, you can connect remotely on days when the craftsman cannot come, or replay the stories that were told on-site via temi.
Nakanishi (Knowledge Capital): "As DX and AI advance, we believe that by using temi together, we can create even newer experiences in an attempt to 'return to basics,' where we can see the human element and the reality of the creators. It's not about eliminating people, but rather about finding a relationship with temi where we can become partners."
When technology and craftsmanship come together on the same floor, temi acts as a bridge between them, conveying not only "what is being made," but also "who made it and with what intentions."
So, I want you to come.
Because temi warms the entrance, The Lab. is not a place where you silently read explanatory signs. You can talk to robots, be guided by characters, listen to the voices of craftsmen, and before you know it, you're deep in conversation with a communicator—such experiences are unfolding somewhere in The Lab. on the 3rd floor every day.
The experiment continues at The Lab., focusing on increasing human interaction rather than eliminating people.
