Arisa Nemoto's Dream Comes True with OriHime
Arisa Nemoto, a 26-year-old wheelchair user from Kodaira, Japan, has always dreamed of becoming a nurse. However, a diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis, a chronic fatigue disorder, five years ago shattered her aspirations. Confined to her home and battling debilitating fatigue, Nemoto's dream seemed impossible.
But then, she heard about OriHime, a 120-centimeter-tall robot developed by Ory Laboratory Ltd. in Tokyo. OriHime allows people who have difficulty leaving their homes to participate in society remotely. Equipped with a camera, microphone, and the ability to move its face and hands, OriHime is controlled by "pilots" from their homes using a computer or tablet.
Nemoto saw an opportunity to fulfill her dream. She applied for a pilot position at Musashino Hospital in Kodaira, where OriHime was being introduced in a two-month demonstration experiment. To her delight, she was selected.
On the first day of the experiment, Nemoto eagerly visited the hospital, even though she wasn't scheduled to work. She observed another pilot operating OriHime, gaining valuable insights for her own role. Now, Nemoto works as a receptionist three times a week, remotely controlling OriHime from her home.
"OriHime gave me an opportunity to be connected with society again," Nemoto said. "When I think about being a part of the workplace, I am really happy because it feels like I'm seen and heard."
The success of the experiment has led Musashino Hospital to consider fully introducing OriHime after the two-month trial. The hospital director, Akira Kano, envisions OriHime playing a larger role in the future, even watching over the hospital's operations.
OriHime's impact extends beyond hospitals. Ory Laboratory has deployed hundreds of these robots across Japan, including in cafes and nursing homes. The company believes OriHime can help address labor shortages while providing opportunities for people like Nemoto to contribute to society.
"The characteristic of OriHime is that it can facilitate mutual communication," said Fumiya Takagaito of Ory Laboratory. "Unlike regular robots, you can feel the human warmth."
With OriHime, Arisa Nemoto's dream of working in the medical field has become a reality. This innovative technology is not only transforming lives but also shaping the future of work and social interaction.