Toyota Motors has created a mini robot designed to keep lonely Japanese company. Named Kirobo Mini, this little gizmo can fit into one's palm and fit into the cup holder of a Toyota Corolla. Toyota described their new robot as a communication partner specially developed to give companionship.
In a video released by Toyota, Kirobo Mini asks a woman with a downcast face about "what has happened?"
Just like a baby
Fuminori Kataoka, chief design engineer of Kirobo Mini, said in a statement that the little robot is meant to emulate a baby who has not developed the skills yet for balance.
"He wobbles a bit," Kataoka stated.
Although Kirobo Mini was made with a camera and artificial intelligence, it is not able to recognize faces since it lacks such a technology. What it is able to do is to recognize emotions and facial expressions and responds accordingly. Kirobo Mini also has a microphone and it makes a high-pitched chatter with the brains of a five-year-old kid.
Created for companionship
Japan's ageing population is one reason why Toyota decided to make a robot that will provide companionship and comfort to lonely Japanese. The move was made by Toyota to solve the loneliness that many childless Japanese couple endure. It was also to help a lot of social groups, like young adults and even teens that lack physical sociability to find companionship even in the form of a robot.
However, Kataoka emphasized that the robot is not worthy to be called a product of artificial intelligence. It is purely for emotional response, something that a lonely person can talk to, but it will not be able to talk back just like a pet dog.
Shipments of the new Toyota robot with a price estimate of $400 before taxes are slated for next year but no overseas orders are available yet as of the moment.
