Buddycom adopted for avatar customer service demonstration experiment at Hankyu Umeda Main Store ~ Achieving seamless customer service collaboration by connecting remote avatar operators and in-store specialized staff via voice ~
Science Arts' live communication platform "Buddycom" has been adopted for the second phase of the avatar customer service demonstration experiment at Hankyu Umeda Main Store. It aims to achieve seamless collaboration between remote avatar operators and in-store specialized staff through voice, verifying a new customer service model.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 20:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 13:36
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 00:27 (466h 50m after Collected)
Science Arts Inc., which provides "Buddycom," a live communication platform connecting frontline workers, announces that Buddycom has been adopted for the "2nd Avatar Customer Service Demonstration Experiment" launched on March 18, 2026 (Wednesday) at Hankyu Umeda Main Store by H2O Retailing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Naoya Araki) and Pasona Group Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairman & CEO: Hirotaka Wakamoto).
**■ Background of Introduction and Overview of Demonstration Experiment**
At the baby and children's clothing department on the 11th floor of Hankyu Umeda Main Store, there is a high demand for customer service related to childbirth preparation, childcare, and gifts. However, a psychological barrier exists where customers hesitate to consult sales associates, leading to situations where they leave without sufficient guidance. This demonstration experiment aims to increase customer service opportunities by leveraging the "approachability" of avatars as an easy consultation point, and then verify a new customer service model that smoothly hands over to "category specialists" with expert knowledge. "Buddycom" is utilized as a communication tool to achieve this seamless collaboration (bridging) between avatars and in-store staff.
Related press release: March 18, 2026, H2O Retailing, Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores "2nd Phase of Avatar Customer Service Demonstration Experiment Starts at Hankyu Umeda Main Store"
https://data.swcms.net/file/h2o-retailing/ja/news/auto_20260318584220/pdfFile.pdf
**■ Reasons for Buddycom's Adoption and Collaboration Method in Avatar Customer Service**
In this experiment, Buddycom was adopted due to its high security and the ability to receive information hands-free through earphones, even while working in noisy store environments. The specific collaboration flow is as follows:
1. **Catching Needs (Avatar)**
Avatar staff, from remote locations (such as Awaji Island), engage customers and identify potential needs such as "concerns about childbirth preparation" or "gift budget" through casual conversation.
2. **Immediate Sharing (Buddycom)**
The avatar staff directly transmit customer characteristics and consultation details via voice through "Buddycom" to the earphones worn by category specialists in the sales area.
3. **Seamless Handover of Customer Service (Category Specialist)**
Category specialists receive information hands-free through earphones even while working, without operating a smartphone. They immediately rush to the customer and provide highly accurate specialized customer service based on the information received from the avatar.
Keywords: Buddycom, Buddycom, IP radio, Science Arts, Frontline worker, Avatar customer service, H2O Retailing, Retail, Pasona, Remote customer service
**■ Background of Introduction and Overview of Demonstration Experiment**
At the baby and children's clothing department on the 11th floor of Hankyu Umeda Main Store, there is a high demand for customer service related to childbirth preparation, childcare, and gifts. However, a psychological barrier exists where customers hesitate to consult sales associates, leading to situations where they leave without sufficient guidance. This demonstration experiment aims to increase customer service opportunities by leveraging the "approachability" of avatars as an easy consultation point, and then verify a new customer service model that smoothly hands over to "category specialists" with expert knowledge. "Buddycom" is utilized as a communication tool to achieve this seamless collaboration (bridging) between avatars and in-store staff.
Related press release: March 18, 2026, H2O Retailing, Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores "2nd Phase of Avatar Customer Service Demonstration Experiment Starts at Hankyu Umeda Main Store"
https://data.swcms.net/file/h2o-retailing/ja/news/auto_20260318584220/pdfFile.pdf
**■ Reasons for Buddycom's Adoption and Collaboration Method in Avatar Customer Service**
In this experiment, Buddycom was adopted due to its high security and the ability to receive information hands-free through earphones, even while working in noisy store environments. The specific collaboration flow is as follows:
1. **Catching Needs (Avatar)**
Avatar staff, from remote locations (such as Awaji Island), engage customers and identify potential needs such as "concerns about childbirth preparation" or "gift budget" through casual conversation.
2. **Immediate Sharing (Buddycom)**
The avatar staff directly transmit customer characteristics and consultation details via voice through "Buddycom" to the earphones worn by category specialists in the sales area.
3. **Seamless Handover of Customer Service (Category Specialist)**
Category specialists receive information hands-free through earphones even while working, without operating a smartphone. They immediately rush to the customer and provide highly accurate specialized customer service based on the information received from the avatar.
Keywords: Buddycom, Buddycom, IP radio, Science Arts, Frontline worker, Avatar customer service, H2O Retailing, Retail, Pasona, Remote customer service