AVITA and Osaka Gas Jointly Develop Real-Time Digital Human Avatar and Launch Online Consultation Service

Energy Industry First: A Real-Time Digital Human Avatar Developed with Osaka Gas

AVITA Inc. (Head Office: Osaka / Tokyo; CEO: Hiroshi Ishiguro; hereinafter “AVITA”), a company specializing in avatar-based services, and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka; President: Masataka Fujiwara; hereinafter “Osaka Gas”) have jointly developed a real-time digital human avatar capable of reflecting an operator’s facial expressions and body movements with high fidelity. Starting September 8, 2022, this avatar will be used to provide online consultations regarding gas equipment, home renovation, and related services.

Since forming a capital and business alliance in August 2021 aimed at developing new lifestyle-support services using avatars*, AVITA and Osaka Gas have worked together to create a unique avatar solution that enhances customer experience and accessibility.

The newly developed avatars come in two forms: a lifelike digital human and an anime-style character avatar. Both are capable of mirroring an operator’s expressions and movements in real time with detailed precision.
The digital human was created using anatomically accurate body structures, advanced skin and fabric rendering, and realistic lighting effects—resulting in an appearance remarkably close to a real person.
While the character avatar operates using only a standard PC, the digital human can be controlled from both PCs and smartphones. Traditionally, operating such high-fidelity avatars required expensive motion-capture equipment**, but the new system allows expressive real-time operation using a simple setup accessible from virtually anywhere.

Beginning September 8, Osaka Gas will offer online consultations using these avatars, enabling customers to communicate—more casually and comfortably—with trained showroom advisors operating the avatars via smartphones or PCs, regardless of their physical location.

This marks the first practical use of a real-time digital human avatar in the energy industry (based on research by Osaka Gas and AVITA as of September 7, 2022). Moving forward, the two companies plan to expand applications into facility guidance within the Daigas Group and co-develop new services leveraging advanced avatar technologies.

AVITA and Osaka Gas will continue collaborating through avatar-enabled services to enhance everyday life and improve customer experience.

Notes

* Avatar: A tool that enables diverse forms of social activity and self-expression beyond physical limitations such as appearance, age, or mobility.
** Motion Capture System: A system that records human movement in 3D by attaching markers to joints and tracking their motion.

Avatar Types and System Overview

​Digital Human

Designed with detailed modeling to deliver rich facial expressions and natural body movement.

Character Avatar

Anime-style and approachable, making conversations feel casual and friendly.

System Configuration for Avatar-Based Customer Support

Customers can interact with an avatar that mirrors the operator’s expressions and movements in real time through smartphones, tablets, or PCs. This reduces psychological barriers and enables enjoyable, relaxed communication.

How to Use the Online Consultation Service for Gas Equipment and Home Renovation

Required Devices (Customer Side)

• PC, smartphone, or tablet with camera, microphone, and speakers

  PC: Windows, macOS
  Smartphone/tablet: iOS/iPadOS, Android

• Internet connection

• Zoom (video conferencing application)
  

Available Hours

10:00–18:00
(Closed on Wednesdays unless a public holiday, and during New Year holidays and summer periods)

Reservation Method

Please make a reservation in advance via the following link:
https://ogshowroom-hugmuseum.resv.jp/reserve/calendar.php?direct_id=3&x=1661762317

Avatar operated in real time by a professional advisor (concept image)