Oji, a town in Japan's Nara Prefecture, has bundled the ancient history of the region together with modern technology to create an adorable town mascot named Yukimaru. The mascot is a robotic dog with quadcopter drone propellers that allow it to fly anywhere around Oji.
Yukimaru is named after a historical pup: the pet of a 7th century figure named Prince Shotoku. Shotoku lived in Oji, and both he and the original Yukimaru have shrines in the area. The new Yukimaru robotic drone is thus a testament to the town's history on top of its function as a cute town symbol.
In the promotional video featuring Yukimaru, the robotic canine flies through Oji and introduces people to its various landmarks, including Mount Myojin and Daruma temple, where Prince Shotoku and Yukimaru's shrines reside.
Canine Mascot Drones
Yukimaru is a Flying Town Mascot for the City of Oji, Japan
Trend Themes
1. Drone Mascots - Opportunity for other towns and cities to create robotic mascots using drone technology to promote tourism and local landmarks.
2. Historical Robotic Pets - Potential for creating robotic pets based on historical figures or animals to connect with cultural heritage and create unique experiences.
3. Augmented Reality Landmark Tours - Possibility of utilizing drones or other technology to offer interactive AR tours of historical landmarks and attractions.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism - Incorporating drone mascots and robotic pets can attract more visitors, create memorable experiences, and boost local tourism.
2. Robotics - The development of robotic pets and drone mascots presents opportunities for innovation and advancement in the robotics industry.
3. AR Technology - Applying augmented reality technology to offer interactive tours can revolutionize the way people experience historical landmarks and increase engagement in tourism.