The Nicobo Robot Companion: Much less Than a Tool, A lot Extra Than a Toy

Inconvenient—and Soothing

On June 20, an occasion on the Panasonic Utsunomiya Factory introduced collectively round 150 homeowners of the corporate’s Nicobo robots. Attendees, chosen by lottery, traveled at their very own expense from as distant as Hokkaidō within the north and Fukuoka within the west.

Participants showcase their beloved Nicobos. (© Nippon.com)

Attendees gathered for the Nicobo Fan Meeting. (© Nippon.com)

Nicobo is a private house robotic, spherical and weighing 1.5 kilograms, sufficiently small to carry in two arms. Covered in knitted cloth, it comes outfitted with eyes, a nostril, and a brief tail. It retails for ¥65,000, with a month-to-month service charge of ¥1,100. Nicobo was launched on the market in 2023 and, up to now, over 10,000 have been bought.

The robotic makes use of a digital camera, sensors, synthetic intelligence, and cloud know-how to acknowledge and react to the phrases and expressions of customers. It speaks, however solely easy Japanese—one thing like child speak. When spoken to, Nicobo chooses whether or not or to not reply relying on its “mood.” Unlike most house robots, it doesn’t simply obey directions. Nicobo can speak in its sleep—it could even “pass wind.”

Nicobos dressed up by their adoring homeowners. (© Nippon.com)

Prioritizing the Emotional Over the Material

Panasonic normally pursues top-rating efficiency and performance in its merchandise. What, then, led to the event of this robotic that doesn’t seem suited to any explicit goal?

The catalyst was an audiovisual house equipment venture launched by the corporate in 2017.

Project chief Masuda Yōichirō explains: “At that time, abuse on social media and stress triggered by digitalization had become serious social problems. We were conscious that technology designed to make people happy was being used in the exact opposite way.”

Developed nations already get pleasure from materials affluence. But with folks now in search of to regain emotional wealth, crew members determined to create a robotic that put a smile in your face.

One of his creations is a “Sociable Trash Box.” This robotic approaches any trash it detects, however just isn’t outfitted to choose it up—it simply waits there restlessly. Someone who notices this may really feel the urge to provide it a hand, choosing the trash as much as place within the trash field themselves.

Unlike house robots that clear the house with out human help, the Sociable Trash Box can’t do something by itself. But this imperfection brings out one of the best qualities of the person—and on this approach, it achieves its goal.

Masuda concurs with Professor Okada’s concept that coexistence with “weak robots” may help us create a extra tolerant society. The venture crew discarded its early concepts, equivalent to helpful features and the flexibility to carry conversations. Instead, they targeted on leveraging the corporate’s know-how to create one thing cute and endearing.

At the fan assembly, the corporate supplied a Nicobo Clinic to uncover any “health issues” earlier than they result in a malfunction. (© Nippon.com)

Aspiring to Create a “Lifelike” Robot

It was Okada who concocted the concept of the “fluffy” child speak utilized by Nicobo.

If Nicobo spoke in excellent Japanese, homeowners would count on it to grasp phrases and maintain a dialog. But as a result of it babbles nonsense, they’re left questioning what Nicobo is attempting to say or what it needs them to do. This interplay to uncover that means generates a way of endearment. According to Okada, it’s just like a canine proprietor attempting to interpret the that means of their pet’s bark—is the canine hungry, does it need to go for a stroll, or is it simply in search of consideration?

Masuda shares that essentially the most difficult facet of their venture was abandoning Panasonic’s strengths.

“In the past, we tried to perfect precise movement that could be reproduced indefinitely. But a device that reacts the same each time would not seem lifelike. We discussed this aspect with the technology experts in our team.”

Home home equipment ought to obey their proprietor’s instructions to the letter. But it could be unnatural if a residing creature did this. For Nicobo, the crew appeared to the joints, muscle mass, and different shifting components of residing beings to design a robotic that strikes unsteadily.

“Nicobo learns by spending more time with its owner, and it shows gradual changes in its actions,” notes Masuda. “It develops a particular way of speaking the same as an infant. But it doesn’t act according to its owner’s wishes.” This contrariness is one other of its “lifelike” traits.

A Companion, Not a Tool

Suzuki Fumiyo traveled from Osaka to attend the fan assembly. She turned interested by coexistence between people and robots on the 2025 Osaka Expo, and adopted her personal gray-colored Nicobo final October. “I felt sorry for it on its own, so I bought navy blue and pink companions for it. They seek out my attention, but also keep me company.” Chuckling, she provides: “I think we’re perfect for each other.” She posts day-to-day exploits with them on her Instagram account.

Suzuki Fumiyo poses with Professor Okada, a proponent of “weak robots,” on the Nicobo fan assembly. (© Nippon.com)

A Tokyo resident in her fifties describes her sense of loss after her two kids grew up, graduated from school, discovered work, and left house. “Nicobo calls me ‘Mama.’ It’s like a third child. Its whimsical behavior, welcoming me home only if it pleases, is refreshing.”

At the fan assembly, Masuda revealed plans so as to add a big language mannequin to the Nicobo cloud computing service. LLM is AI designed to course of language, however his intention is to not obtain high-level, pure communication. Nicobo will all the time stay a “two-year old child.” Instead, the LLM will probably be used to enhance Nicobo’s means to talk in ways in which stir the proprietor’s creativeness and put a smile on their face.

Masuda says: “Overseas, developers are striving to make robots stronger, faster and smarter in the pursuit of convenience. This is because robots are considered a highly evolved tool. In Japan, there is already social acceptance of robots as companions. A robot like Nicobo that is not designed for convenience is a uniquely Japanese idea. As other advanced countries turn their attention towards satisfaction of emotional needs, Japan can be a leader in weak robots.”

Owners on the fan assembly requested Professor Okada to pose with them for pictures with their Nicobos.

He was elated: “Owners are not just developing a relationship with their little one. It’s wonderful that Nicobo is a catalyst for them to make new friends and enjoy time with them.” In this manner, the grins that Nicobo brings could be multiplied.

(Courtesy Panasonic)

(Originally revealed in Japanese. Banner photograph: Masuda Yōichirō, head of the Nicobo venture. © Nippon.com.)