
BEYOND-Buddy
Your next teammate doesn’t have to be human.
Who greets visitors at the door? Who shows them the way? Who sets the mood of the venue?
This December, we’re inviting non-human members to take a post at TechGALA.
A robot, an AI, a character on a screen, a remotely operated avatar — any form is welcome.
We’re looking for presences that make the visitor experience richer.
If you can tell us “here’s what we could do at TechGALA,” we want to hear from you.
BenefitsWhy take part
Application Flow
Review
The secretariat reviews your application and contacts you with the outcome and next steps.
3–7 business days
Location confirmed
We confirm the assigned location and notify every applicant.
Individually
Set-up & event days
Set up from the day before, arriving by 10:00 on each operating day. Then welcome our visitors.
Dec 14 (day before) – Dec 17
BEYOND-Buddy — now accepting applications
Go beyond human, and help us welcome our visitors. Guiding, comforting, watching over — whatever your buddy does best, bring it to TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND.
Applications close Friday, November 6, 2026
Application Guidelines
- Application period
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Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – Friday, November 6, 2026
- Review & notification
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3–7 business days. We will notify you of the outcome at the email address provided in your application form.
- What we’re looking for
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Any non-human presence that can take on a role for visitors during TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND.
Examples: greeting visitors at reception / guiding visitors to venues and session rooms / multilingual announcements / hosting or MC duties on stage or at booths / handing out materials / offering comfort and liveliness in rest areas / keeping an eye on the venue※These are examples only. We welcome roles beyond this list.
Any form is eligible — autonomous, remotely operated, on-screen, with or without a physical body.※Living creatures (animals) are not eligible, for reasons of hygiene, animal welfare, and venue permissions.
- Who can apply
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Companies, organizations, universities, research institutions, local governments, and individual teams are all welcome. There are no restrictions by region or country, and no distinction between startups and large corporations.
- Operating days
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・Day 1 – Day 3
・Day 1 – Day 2
・Day 3 only※Day 1: Tue, Dec 15 / Day 2: Wed, Dec 16 / Day 3: Thu, Dec 17, 2026
※Set-up is available from the day before, for any option.
- Operating hours
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10:00–17:00
Hours are subject to change while planning is finalized.
※Set-up and pack-down time is not included.
- Location
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Day 1 – Day 2: Chunichi Building / Nadya Park
Day 3: STATION Ai
We will assign a position that makes the most of what your buddy does, and inform you after acceptance. Locations are subject to change while planning is finalized.
- Cost
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Free of charge.
※Transport, delivery and removal, set-up, staffing, and operators are at the applicant’s expense.
- On-site supervision
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Supervision during operating hours is the applicant’s responsibility.
To prevent harm to visitors and damage caused by visitors touching your buddy, please ensure at least one attendant is present at all times, or checks in at regular intervals.
- Radio equipment compliance
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Devices that emit radio waves must carry Japan’s Technical Conformity Mark (Giteki) certification.
- Overnight storage
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Please store your buddy in the designated lockable area overnight during the event. If it is too large to be stored there, please consult us in advance.
- What cannot be brought
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Anything that produces flame, sparks, or smoke, including smoke machines / anything powered by an internal combustion engine / anything using high-pressure or flammable gas / anything producing a strong odor / anything with sharp parts that could injure people / anything using a battery with a history of ignition, without countermeasures in place / anything that could interfere with medical devices / anything that flies indoors, such as a drone / anything contrary to public order and morals / anything else the secretariat judges to be unsuitable for exhibition at TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND
- Disclaimers
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・The secretariat accepts no responsibility for damage, malfunction, loss, or theft of your buddy, or for any failure to operate due to power or network issues.
・Should your buddy cause damage to a third party, the applicant is responsible for resolving the matter.
・The secretariat may instruct you to suspend or stop operation at any time during the event, based on safety or operational judgment. No compensation will be provided for costs or losses arising from such an instruction.
・Locations are determined by the secretariat. We may be unable to accommodate your preference, and may ask you to change location during the event.
・The event period or program may be changed or cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.
BEYOND-Buddy — now accepting applications
Go beyond human, and help us welcome our visitors. Guiding, comforting, watching over — whatever your buddy does best, bring it to TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND.
Applications close Friday, November 6, 2026


