RFID in Japan

NTT Communications Corp. will test two RFID-guided shopper-assistant robots at a large shopping center in Japan. The robots are guided by RFID tags and help shoppers by carrying shopping bags. They also provide related sales information when they arrive at the destination store. They will be used for a week, starting February 9, 2006, at Diamond City Lucle in Fukuoka.

When a shopper selects a store using a touch panel, the robot will accompany the shopper to that store, moving at the same speed they walk. To know where it's going, the robot will read some 5,000 smart tags embedded in the shopping center's floor. Built-in sensors will allow it to detect and avoid other shoppers.

The robots will also be used to help online shoppers.

Online shoppers will be able to interact with store personnel via a camera on the robot to get a better understanding to the merchandise offered.

Thanks again, regine!

via Nikkei Net

related: RFID Shopping Assistant Robot

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