OryLab has been engaged in academic exchange and joint research with Danish universities using the bunshin robot OriHime since 2016. These efforts have now culminated in the opening of the first bunshin robot café in Aarhus, Denmark. Since the launch of our first bunshin robot café in 2021, we have welcomed many visitors from Denmark, including representatives from the Danish Embassy in Tokyo and delegations from several municipalities, whom all have shown a great interest in getting the system to Denmark.

Denmark was selected as the location for the first overseas café due to its reputation as a global leader in welfare and its advanced use of technology in the care sector. The country consistently ranks high in the World Happiness Report and is known for its strong social welfare system, inclusive working environments, and culture of active social participation. The Danish concept of "hygge," which celebrates small, everyday joys and meaningful human connections, aligns closely with OryLab’s mission to reduce loneliness through technology. We believe there is much to learn from Denmark’s societal values, environment and methods.

As part of this overseas expansion, individuals in Aarhus who face mobility challenges and have limited opportunities for social participation are hired. They will receive training as OriHime pilots, supported by OryLabs experienced pilots from the café in Japan. Our goal is to create a café that becomes a cherished part of the Aarhus community — a place where people can experience a new, inclusive way of working through avatar robots, fostering a sense of collegiality that transcends physical distance.