Self-contained office pods are popping up all over Japan, as demand for easy-to-use public working spaces soar
These self-contained pods are equipped with VCube desk, seating, PC, power outlets and video conferencing software
Japan’s airports, train stations and office foyers are making room for telecubes to help people who are working remotely. These self-contained pods were first reported about in 2019, when Mitsubishi Estate announced plans to start rolling them out.
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The idea was to have micro-offices available everywhere, to make it easier for people to work near home or on business trips. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in video conferencing over face-to-face meetings has fuelled the demand for making video calls on the go.
These soundproof boxes are approximately two metres high and one metre wide and are equipped with VCube desk, seating, PC, power outlets and video conferencing software. They can be set up indoors, as well as outdoors and come in both a solo format, and a model designed for multiple individuals, in cases where face-to-face meetings are necessary.
Each Telecube can be booked and accessed via a smartphone app, and there is a 24x7 support service for users. To register, you have to pay a minimum amount of 250 yen (Rs 173) for 15 minutes, which most people don’t mind paying, if it helps them get the job done. After each usage, data and browsing history from the PC is cleared to maintain business confidentiality.
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