My First Thought Was,

'what happens when the batteries run out?'

the idea of speed dating is not new, but what if the participants are too shy to even speak to each other? let me explain, a Tokyo-based robotics association recently hosted a speed-dating party where human participants sat in silence across a table from each-other while tiny robots spoke on their behalf, the event took place in Tokyo, Japan, and was organized by the Contents innovation Program (CiP) Association, which specializes in developing AI, robotics and other technology, according to The Japan News, in a series of videos posted on YouTube, potential matches can be seen sitting across from each other, but instead of talking, they just sit there quietly with their gazes focused on two little robots placed on the table between them, the conversation revolves around information pre-loaded into their system from a 45-question survey participants completed prior to the event,

the proxy conversation between potential matches lasted about three minutes, and at the end participants had the option to decide whether they wanted to also engage in direct conversation with the person sitting across from them, or not, according to Japanese news sources, many of the 28 men and women who took part in this unique speed-dating event were impressed by their robotic assistants, saying that because the robots spoke on their behalf, they were able to focus on listening and learning about the other person,

apparently, the robots made it easier for participants to have their interests and qualities presented to their potential matches without coming off as dull or self-centered. The robots, on the other hand could be excused for talking up the people they were representing, “Especially in Japanese society, where humility is always considered a virtue and people are always conscious of the fact that the things they love might be seen as dull and pointless by others, many singles are reluctant to self-promote themselves, and having a robotic wingman was likely a great help,” SoraNews24‘s Casey Baseel explained, the tiny robots used in this innovative speed-dating party were developed by by Japanese media company Cyber Agent in collaboration with Japanese tech giant Sharp, so I guess the organisers have a supply of spare batteries, photograph by Cyber Agent.