New series TECHXPLORE to air on BBC WORLD NEWS

First destination – Japan.

TechXplore is a new programme series from BBC World News which explores the vibrant technology scene and introduces innovators driving towards the future. Part travel programme, part tech show, TechXplore offers fascinating insights into countries reinventing themselves for tomorrow. In its first edition, the BBC’s technology reporter Paul Carter explores Japan, a country long renowned as a leader in the tech world.

Starting in Tokyo, Paul visits a cafe whose employees have disabilities preventing them from leaving their homes, yet they serve customers remotely from hundreds of miles away using robots and telepresence.  The inventor of the avatar café says it not only empowers its workers but is also an experiment aimed at combating loneliness.

Paul also discovers how tech is revolutionising Japan’s world-famous food sector as he travels to the South coast to investigate the story behind a start-up aiming to make shrimp farming sustainable by bringing the production on land.

He then visits Osaka University, where scientists are busy recreating lab-grown wagyu in petri dishes using 3D printers, to see whether “tech” meat can really compete with the real thing.

Finally, Paul finishes his journey at Japan’s most sacred mountain – Mount Fuji – where artificial intelligence is being used to help predict rockslides and protect visitors to its stunning volcanic landscape.

TechXplore: Japan will air at 8:30pm AEDT on Saturday 29^th Jan, 7:30am and 1:30pm AEDT on Sunday 30^th Jan, and 2:30am on Monday 31^st Jan on BBC World News via Foxtel.