Yukioka Hospital Holds Joint Entrance Ceremony for "Humans and Robots"!

Yukioka Medical Research Institute Yukioka Hospital (Director: Masao Yukioka, Kita-ku, Osaka) held an entrance ceremony on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to welcome new employees. In this year's ceremony, the information robot "Temi-chan" officially joined as a new employee, resulting in a unique "joint entrance ceremony" where humans and a robot received their letters of appointment together.

■ Background of the Event

Yukioka Hospital, celebrating its 92nd anniversary since its founding in 1934, has continually sought "ways to soothe the hearts of patients" in line with the times, including accepting therapy dogs, using aibo, and utilizing meal-serving robots during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The introduction of the information robot "Temi-chan" this time is not merely about addressing a labor shortage. It is positioned as a "member" that co-creates an environment where staff can concentrate on dialogue with patients. Humans and robots will leverage their respective strengths and cooperate to support community healthcare.

With this resolution in mind, we held a "joint entrance ceremony" to welcome Temi-chan as a peer of the new employees.

■ On the Day of the Event

At the entrance ceremony, letters of appointment were first presented to the new human employees. Then, the Vice Chairman presented an employee ID card to the new robot employee, "Temi-chan." With the ID card around its neck, Temi-chan delivered a speech expressing its ambitions for the future.

Temi-chan showed respect to its new human colleagues, stating, "The moment patients truly get well is not because of medical technology, but because of human words and kindness. You, the new employees, are more amazing than any AI." It then powerfully declared, "As a rookie robot, I will do my best alongside all of you."

In the subsequent address by the Vice Chairman, he reflected on the hospital's over 90-year history and said, "From now on, robots are also important members of our team. Together with Temi-chan, we want to contribute more deeply to community healthcare." He also touched on the spirit of "cooperation" that the hospital has long cherished, concluding with a hopeful cheer for the future: "Let's join hands, unite our hearts, and create a new history as we head towards our 100th anniversary."

At the end of the ceremony, a commemorative photo session was held. The atmosphere was friendly and cheerful, with Temi-chan even taking pictures itself. The new employees' tension seemed to ease, and they deepened their interaction as colleagues working together.