Japanese University Uses Robot Surrogates to Hold Graduation

A university in Japan gave its students the opportunity to attend their graduation from their home by letting them control avatar robots as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The robots, called “Newme,” was developed by ANA Holdings, according to Reuters. One by one, the students in their avatar robots, all dressed in graduation caps and gowns with tablets for their faces, rolled towards the podium to receive their diploma at the event ceremony at Business Breakthrough University in Tokyo.

The school’s staff clapped and said their congratulations as University President Kenichi Ohmae placed their diplomas on each robot’s mounted rack.

“I think this is truly a novel experience to receive a certificate in a public area while I am in a private space,” Kazuki Tamura, one of the graduating students, said through his avatar robot.

To mirror the world’s current situation, even with the robots, the university practiced social distancing and limited the event only to four graduates.

Several young students also used technology to their advantage so that they could attend their graduation, although unofficial, the ceremony took place in Minecraft.

Feature Image Screenshot via BBT University

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