Developed by All Nippon Airways (ANA) as part of their Avatar Inn project, Newme is a robot on wheels that operates as an avatar of the user. With Newme, people can explore the world from the comfort of their homes and experience IRL events in real-time.
Featuring a basic camera and audio system, Newme users are able to see, hear and speak. To humanize Newme, a 10.1-inch screen capable of Full HD projects the faces and smiles of users. As an added bonus, the screen can be tilted up and down 60° for an expanded field of view. All of the robot’s functions are controlled via an app.
Encouraging individuality, the body colour of the robot can be selected and coordinated to personal taste. In total, there are three body height levels available ranging from the shortest 3.2 ft (38.4 in) to the tallest 4.9 ft (58.8 in). Presumably, children would be more comfortable with a low point of view that is familiar, while an adult will select the tallest height.
Designed to be portable and easily installable, Newme is lightweight and foldable. The tallest version weighs only 34 lbs (15.5 kg).
Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the operational time of Newme is a limited three hours.
To avoid any damages and potential accidents, a collision prevention sensor is included.
Recently, Newme was used by students from the Business BreakThrough University in Tokyo for a virtual graduation due to COVID-19.
In addition to novel and fun uses, Newme has massive potential for the elderly and those with disabilities to empower their lives.
“The goal of ANA’s avatar initiative is to eliminate the barriers of physical distance to make remote communication more valuable and to allow everyone to share experiences more democratically,” says Kevin Kajitani, co-director of ANA HD’s avatar division.
All images in this article are courtesy of ANA.
