Students at the Business Breakthrough University in Tokyo controlled human-shaped 'Newme' robots from coronavirus self-isolation, driving the machines up to a professor to collect their degree
A university in Japan held a graduation during lockdown with robot avatars controlled by the students from their homes.

Staff at Business Breakthrough University in Tokyo decided they would not allow social distancing measures introduced to tackle the coronavirus outbreak to ruin the school's graduation ceremony.

The self-isolating students were given the ability to control 'Newme' robots which are tall, vaguely human shaped machines that run on four wheels.

At the top of a thin body covered in a graduation gown was a digital tablets beaming out a live-stream of the student's face.
President Kenichi Ohmae, reading out the names of young men and women as they trundle up along the stage.

In another photo he can be seen proudly standing between two freshly graduated students perched on top of their temporary robot bodies.

The ceremony was held for only four graduating students in order to avoid a "large gathering" of sorts during the current outbreak, according to BBT's press release.
Nevertheless, university staff and an entourage of media were still present during the ceremony.

"I think this is truly a novel experience to receive a certificate in a public area while I am in a private space," said Kazuki Tamura via his avatar when receiving his master's degree diploma.
The university said it hopes the innovative approach would become a model for schools across the country looking to avoid mass gatherings.
As confirmed coronavirus cases across Japan continued to climb this week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency for the capital Tokyo and six other prefectures for a period of about one month.

There are now 4,667 cases of the coronavirus in the country and 94 people who have died from Covid-19.