Experience real world places remotely with brand new 'avatar robotic technology'

Japanese airline group ANA Holdings Inc. unveiled their new robot technology 'newme' in Tokyo on Wednesday, as well as its accompanying service, 'avatar-in', which enables customers to "experience real-world places as if they are actually."

Footage shows the robot moving around a store on wheels, with a a tablet-sized monitor that displays the customer's face in real time.

The technology can provide shopping, entertainment services, workplace and personal management solutions with customers having control over such robots from anywhere in the country.

"The technology that we are referring to are physical systems essentially robotic avatars that you are able to log into from a remote location," Director of Avatar Division in ANA Holdings Inc. Kevin Kajitani said. "These robotic avatars will allow people to connect over huge vast distances to be able to experience real-world places as if they are actually there without having to leave their homes."

He added, "Imagine a person receiving cancer treatment in a hospital or an elderly person who can no longer easily leave their homes, this technology will now allow them to continue to participate in society equally just as everyone else does."

The avatar service platform is now operating only in Japan, however, the ANA Holdings Inc. plans to expand their business globally.