IBARAKI, Mar 02 (News On Japan) - AKB48 set out to uncover examples of digital transformation in everyday settings, visiting a golf course in Ibaraki Prefecture and a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Nihonbashi, where cutting-edge technology is reshaping both leisure and tradition.
The group first arrived at Minami-Tsuba Golf Course, which opened in 1976 and will mark its 50th anniversary this year. The course is popular for its affordable pricing and beginner-friendly atmosphere, allowing players to rent clubs on-site and head straight to the fairway.
But beyond its accessible layout, the course has introduced a striking example of DX: an autonomous personal caddie robot known as "Hello Caddie."
The compact robot, equipped with four wheels and sensors, follows the golfer who activates it at a distance of about two meters, carrying their golf bag across the course. By pressing a mode button, the device recognizes and tracks a single individual, smoothly trailing behind even if the user quickens their pace.
The robot is also capable of navigating rough terrain and slopes. It can climb inclines of up to 15 degrees and uses a gyroscopic function to control its speed when descending, automatically stopping if it detects an obstacle between itself and the user.
According to the golf course operator, the introduction of the robot was partly driven by a nationwide shortage of caddies. “With staffing challenges affecting golf courses, we introduced the robot as a way to support operations by carrying golf bags,” a representative said.
The robots have quickly gained popularity. Although only four units are currently in service, reservations open two months in advance and are fully booked within about three minutes of becoming available.
The operator also sees potential beyond golf. The same technology could be applied in hotels to transport large suitcases or in hot spring facilities to carry heavy linens, reducing the burden on staff.
AKB48 next headed to Nihonbashi to visit Eitaro Sohonpo, a confectionery shop founded in 1818 with more than 200 years of history.
The shop is known for its traditional sweets, including its signature black soybean daifuku. Over the years, Eitaro has also introduced innovative products such as candy packaged in tube-shaped containers resembling lip gloss, reflecting a willingness to adapt to changing consumer tastes.
Yet the most notable DX initiative lies behind the scenes.
At the company’s factory, where more than 24,000 pieces of confectionery are produced daily, around 9,000 black soybean daifuku are made each day. These daifuku are now inspected using an AI-powered image inspection system.
The AI monitors the appearance of each daifuku, identifying defects such as beans protruding from the surface, cracked beans, or incorrect quantities of beans. If a bean is even slightly visible on the outside, the product is flagged as non-compliant.
Previously, such inspections were conducted visually by staff. However, standards varied between individuals and between the factory and retail outlets, sometimes resulting in differences in judgment and returned products.
To address this, the company trained the AI system using approximately 500 images, teaching it to distinguish between acceptable and defective products. Since the system was introduced about a year and a half ago, the return rate from stores has fallen to nearly zero.
A company representative explained that the business has always embraced new challenges, and that this spirit of continuous innovation has allowed it to remain relevant for more than two centuries.
For AKB48, the visits highlighted how digital transformation is not limited to high-tech industries. Whether supporting golfers on the fairway or safeguarding the quality of a centuries-old sweet, DX is quietly reshaping even the most traditional corners of Japanese life.
Source: テレ東BIZ
