Punctuality mascot bows at 0.3-second intervals to commuters arriving exactly on time
Perfection, Apologised For
TOKYO — Japan Railways East has deployed a humanoid robot at Shinjuku Station whose sole function is to apologise, at 30-second intervals, for delays that have not occurred, in acknowledgment of delays that might theoretically occur, or that occurred in 2019, or that exist as a statistical possibility given enough time.
The robot, named Owabi-kun (roughly: “Apology Fellow”), bows at a precise 45-degree angle, makes eye contact with a sensor array, and delivers the phrase “We sincerely regret any inconvenience” to commuters who are, by all available data, exactly where they need to be at the exact correct time.
Why It Exists
JR East spokesperson Tanaka Hiroshi explained that Owabi-kun addresses a gap in the passenger experience. “Our trains arrive within thirty seconds of schedule 99.9 percent of the time,” he said. “That 0.1 percent represents a failure we carry as an institution. Owabi-kun carries it publicly, so our staff do not have to carry it alone.”
Commuters have responded with characteristic Japanese courtesy, bowing back at Owabi-kun while also being slightly confused by a robot apologising for a train that left on time. “It is considerate,” said office worker Yamamoto Kenji. “Also I am not sure what I am being apologised to for. But I accept the apology. It seems rude not to.”
Global Context
Transport officials from twelve countries visited to observe Owabi-kun last month. All twelve noted they could use a similar robot, but for actual delays. The JR East spokesperson said the technology could theoretically be adapted but expressed concern that a robot apologising for real delays would need to speak continuously and might develop an existential condition. This concern was treated as reasonable.
SOURCE: https://bohiney.com