{"id":2687,"date":"2026-08-17T21:44:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T12:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techgala.jp\/?page_id=2687"},"modified":"2026-08-18T10:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T01:26:23","slug":"beyond-buddy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/techgala.jp\/en\/beyond-buddy\/","title":{"rendered":"BEYOND-Buddy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/span>
TOP<\/a><\/span><\/svg><\/span>BEYOND-Buddy<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n

BEYOND-Buddy<\/h1>\n\n\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply for BEYOND-Buddy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Benefits<\/span>Why take part<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

See how 5,000+ visitors
react to your creation, first-hand<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Featured on our official social channels
not as a product, but as part of
the crew running the venue<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Meet companies and startups
who share your interests,
right here at the venue<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n

Application Flow<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Apply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Complete and submit the application form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aug 18 \u2013 Nov 6<\/h6>\n<\/div>
<\/div>
1<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Review<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The secretariat reviews your application and contacts you with the outcome and next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3\u20137 business days<\/h6>\n<\/div>
<\/div>
2<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Location confirmed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We confirm the assigned location and notify every applicant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individually<\/h6>\n<\/div>
<\/div>
3<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Set-up & event days<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Set up from the day before, arriving by 10:00 on each operating day. Then welcome our visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dec 14 (day before) \u2013 Dec 17<\/h6>\n<\/div>
<\/div>
4<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

BEYOND-Buddy \u2014 now accepting applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Go beyond human, and help us welcome our visitors. Guiding, comforting, watching over \u2014 whatever your buddy does best, bring it to TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply for BEYOND-Buddy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Applications close Friday, November 6, 2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Application Guidelines <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\n\n
\n\t
Application period<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 \u2013 Friday, November 6, 2026<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Review & notification<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

3\u20137 business days. We will notify you of the outcome at the email address provided in your application form.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
What we’re looking for<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bThese are examples only. We welcome roles beyond this list.
Any form is eligible \u2014 autonomous, remotely operated, on-screen, with or without a physical body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bLiving creatures (animals) are not eligible, for reasons of hygiene, animal welfare, and venue permissions.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Who can apply<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Operating days<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

\u30fbDay 1 \u2013 Day 3
\u30fbDay 1 \u2013 Day 2
\u30fbDay 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bDay 1: Tue, Dec 15 \uff0f Day 2: Wed, Dec 16 \uff0f Day 3: Thu, Dec 17, 2026
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bSet-up is available from the day before, for any option.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Operating hours<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

10:00\u201317:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours are subject to change while planning is finalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bSet-up and pack-down time is not included.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Location<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

Day 1 \u2013 Day 2: Chunichi Building \uff0f 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.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Cost<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

Free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bTransport, delivery and removal, set-up, staffing, and operators are at the applicant’s expense.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
On-site supervision<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Radio equipment compliance<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

Devices that emit radio waves must carry Japan’s Technical Conformity Mark (Giteki) certification.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Overnight storage<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
What cannot be brought<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

Anything that produces flame, sparks, or smoke, including smoke machines \uff0f anything powered by an internal combustion engine \uff0f anything using high-pressure or flammable gas \uff0f anything producing a strong odor \uff0f anything with sharp parts that could injure people \uff0f anything using a battery with a history of ignition, without countermeasures in place \uff0f anything that could interfere with medical devices \uff0f anything that flies indoors, such as a drone \uff0f anything contrary to public order and morals \uff0f anything else the secretariat judges to be unsuitable for exhibition at TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
Disclaimers<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
\n\n

\u30fbThe 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.
\u30fbShould your buddy cause damage to a third party, the applicant is responsible for resolving the matter.
\u30fbThe 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.
\u30fbLocations are determined by the secretariat. We may be unable to accommodate your preference, and may ask you to change location during the event.
\u30fbThe event period or program may be changed or cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.<\/p>\n\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

BEYOND-Buddy \u2014 now accepting applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Go beyond human, and help us welcome our visitors. Guiding, comforting, watching over \u2014 whatever your buddy does best, bring it to TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Apply for BEYOND-Buddy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Applications close Friday, November 6, 2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BenefitsWhy take part See how 5,000+ visitorsreact to your creation, first-hand Featured on our official social channelsnot as a product, but as part ofthe crew running the venue Meet companies and startupswho share your interests,right here at the venue Application Flow BEYOND-Buddy \u2014 now accepting applications Go beyond human, and help us welcome our visitors. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/techgala.jp\/?page_id=2014","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2687","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","en-US"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBEYOND-Buddy | TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/techgala.jp\/en\/beyond-buddy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BEYOND-Buddy | TechGALA Japan 2026: BEYOND\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"BenefitsWhy take part See how 5,000+ visitorsreact to your creation, first-hand Featured on our official social channelsnot as a product, but as part ofthe crew running the venue Meet companies and startupswho share your interests,right here at the venue Application Flow BEYOND-Buddy \u2014 now accepting applications Go beyond human, and help us welcome our visitors. 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