Japan creates robotics copy of minister. What is its purpose?

Japan's Science and Technology Agency has created a robotic copy, or so-called cybernetic avatar, of the country's Minister of Administrative and Management Reform Taro Kono.

What is a cybernetic avatar?

A cybernetic avatar is a concept that includes not only remotely controlled avatars using robots and 3D images for their actions, but also enhancing people's physical and cognitive abilities using information and communication technologies.

The cybernetic avatar is designed to enable free action in the cyber-physical environment of Society 5.0. Cybernetic avatars can have various functions and forms aimed at overcoming the natural limitations of the body, brain, space and time.

What is the goal?

According to the EurekAlert website, the newly created avatar is not just a robotic copy of a specific person, but essentially a better version of him, with upgraded physical and mental abilities.

'Cloned' minister will help researchers understand how people perceive such clones and whether they can really replace humans. The minister can remotely control his or her replica. In other words, the use of cybernetic avatars will allow people to participate in public activities without being physically present in a given location.

Scientists are convinced that the cybernetic avatar will increase the efficiency of economic activities. This will increase even more if one person operates more than one cybernetic avatar, giving the impression that the person is where they need to be, allowing them to do a particular job remotely. Possible problems

However, there are issues here that the Japanese scientists believe will need to be addressed. The fact is that a very human-like cybernetic avatar can be identified with that person, even when controlled by another human or artificial intelligence. It turns out that in order to use cybernetic avatars as part of social activities, one has to consider the problems associated with their "identity," that is, is it acceptable that the actions of a cybernetic avatar can be perceived as those of a given person?

Test phase

The Japanese minister's cybernetic avatar has yet to be tested before the end of the year. As part of the tests, the avatar will meet people, make speeches, and scientists will try to find out if people perceive the avatar in the same way as the minister.

The test will also include surveys about whether it is acceptable for people to identify the actions of the cybernetic avatar with those of the minister. This, according to scientists, will help define social norms for the new cybernetic avatar society. The project is part of the Moonshot research and development program, which aims to have a society by 2050 in which people can be freed from the limitations of body, brain, space, and time in their activities.