Japan rolls out ‘humble and lovable’ delivery robots

Stop and shop: A Panasonic delivery robot named Hakobo selling hot drinks and snacks in Tokyo’s shopping and business area of Marunouchi. — AFP

FUJISAWA: “Excuse me, coming through,” a four-wheeled robot chirps as it dodges pedestrians on a street outside Tokyo, part of an experiment businesses hope will tackle labour shortages and rural isolation.

From April, revised traffic laws will let self-driving delivery robots navigate streets across Japan.