Located in Akihabara, Japan, the maid café attracts visitors from all over the world with its unique "moe culture," but language barriers often impact the experience of foreign customers. To tackle this issue, tech company Pixie Dust Technologies has developed the "VUEVO Display Transparent Translation Screen" and is trialing it at at-home cafe, aiming to eliminate these communication hurdles so customers can fully enjoy the delightful interactions with the maids.
VUEVO Display is an innovative product from Tsukuba University that supports instant translation in over 100 languages. This device displays subtitles through a transparent screen, presenting them in a natural and seamless way, just like movie subtitles. This allows customers to engage in conversations with the maids without having to look down at their phones. Additionally, the transparent design ensures that both parties can maintain eye contact, allowing the customers to clearly observe the maids' expressions and movements, making the experience more harmonious in terms of visual and emotional interaction. Specifically for unique Japanese terms like "萌萌噠," the screen displays it as "MOEMOE," preserving the fun of the language while adding a touch of friendliness to the interaction.
At-home cafe currently operates 10 locations in Tokyo and Osaka. With the resurgence of international travelers to Japan, the percentage of foreign customers at the Tokyo store is about 10% to 15%, predominantly comprising Asian tourists. Although the shop has provided English menus and basic vocabulary lists, and has arranged for maids to receive English training, the language used during the role-play often goes beyond what standard textbooks cover. For instance, when a maid says, "Let me cast a spell to make this omelet rice even more delicious!" it not only carries a sense of drama but also creates a rich situational charm that traditional translation methods struggle to convey perfectly. VUEVO Display effectively fills this gap, allowing foreign customers to better immerse themselves in the entire experience.
The initial trial results have received an enthusiastic response. Customers generally indicate that this device is easy to use, effectively breaking down language barriers without compromising the fun of interaction. The at-home cafe operating team hopes to enhance their service through this technology, allowing visitors of different nationalities to truly experience the unique charm of Japan's "moe culture."
