ANA invests in tech for virtual fishing trips and doctor visits

The parent of Japan's ANA has backed a startup launched by its own employees to further develop remotely controlled avatars that can be used in tourism, retail and health care. ANA Holdings and the two employees will invest a total of 200m yen ($1.8m) into the startup, called Avatar-in, though the size of the stake is undisclosed. Fishing and skindiving for shellfish are two of the experiences that ANA has already tested with its avatars. The new startup will seek to raise funds broadly, as well as to accelerate development and partnerships. The move comes as ANA said Tuesday that it will furlough nearly half its workforce on a rotating basis as the coronavirus pandemic sinks international passenger traffic. Remote access to health care and other services has taken on new urgency during the pandemic. Avatars let people interact through a video monitor from a remote location. ANA has deployed the machines, dubbed "newme," on a trial basis in shopping centers and tourist attractions, enabling users to go on virtual shopping and sightseeing trips. The startup also develops robotic avatars capable of delivering remote medicine.<br/>