Takashimaya robot section the first of its kind
TAKASHIMAYA Co has opened a robot section at its Shinjuku store in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo — the first by a department store in Japan.
The Robotics Studio sells cutting-edge products that have evolved through the use of artificial intelligence technologies, and allows customers to touch and use them.
The operator of the department store aims to attract customers across generations.
Among 22 products on display are the Sota at 156,600 yen including tax (Bt46,623), which users can enjoy chatting with; “Musio (105,840 yen), which can engage in English conversation; and Laundroid – a laundry-folding robot (1,998,000 yen or above).
Customers touched the robots while asking sales clerks about how to operate them.
Robots have, up until now, been sold mainly at large home appliance stores or online. A Takashimaya official in charge of the section said, “We want to expand sales by holding hands-on events, taking advantage of our ability as a department |store to create unique opportunities.”
The company planned to open another robot section at one of its Kansai stores within the next fiscal year.