Photo credits: Panasonic
Panasonic Nicobo Companion Desk Robot
Find more information about the product below.
Nicobo, the little robotic cat, can keep company to people who are alone or isolated thanks to a microphone and a loudspeaker, in order to interact with human beings.
Who is NICOBO?
Nicobo, the little robotic cat developed by Panasonic, was created with the aim of keeping people company when they are alone or isolated. It has the ability to speak and react to touch. To interact with humans, the robot uses a microphone and a speaker. In addition, it can connect to the Internet to access online information. Nicobo uses a camera and a motion sensor to detect movements and sounds in its environment, allowing it to react to external stimuli.
Equipped with a voice recognition system, the robot is able to understand certain verbal commands and even recognize the person speaking to it by turning in their direction. Finally, to add a fun touch, Nicobo is able to emit "farts" on command, which makes it more realistic and endearing.
How was NICOBO designed?
NICOBO's personality is based on the concept of creating a life with a few moments of laughter. Then there is the design of his interaction with people, including his favorite phrases, the way he nods, and eye movements to express various emotions.
We are particularly attached to NICOBO not only because we have been involved in it since the concept stage, but also because we all firmly believe that this project will benefit society.
However, Panasonic's NICOBO development team easily broke this stereotype. In a way, NICOBO does nothing for us.
NICOBO can be better defined by what he can't do instead of what he can do
Under its knitted fabric covering, however, NICOBO is equipped with some nifty tools: acceleration, gyroscope, temperature and light sensors, voice recognition and noise cancellation technology, a Wi-Fi module and a quad-core ARM Coretex-A53 processor, as well as a camera, speaker and three microphones.
Soft and round, NICOBO looks more like a pet or a baby than a practical machine, but that’s where his value lies. He can express himself through the movements of his eyes, body, and tail, and his spoken vocabulary expands over time. By being vulnerable, he can foster a sense of attachment in owners, promote their well-being, and perhaps even make them feel better about themselves and the world they live in. NICOBO can help us cultivate happiness. Even his name comes from the Japanese word for “smile.”
