Japanese firms test avatar for remote shopping

The avatar that can be used to purchase products developed by ANA Holdings Inc. is demonstrated in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, on Wednesday.

TOKYO — A test of a prototype avatar that enables shopping from remote locations was demonstrated for the media by ANA Holdings Inc. (ANAHD) and Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd. in Tokyo last Wednesday.

The avatar — a robotic alter ego of the user — was developed by ANAHD and is equipped with a camera and microphone.

In the test, a person acting as a customer from a separate location and controlling the robot remotely via computer purchased a boxed set of sweets as a gift while communicating with a store clerk.

The tests will be conducted through Dec. 24 at the shopping plaza Coredo Muromachi 3 in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. Pre-registration is required for use. The avatar system is expected to be used by the elderly, people with disabilities and office workers too busy to go shopping.