On the surface, it seems creepy and/or pathetic, but it could be a healthy new revenue stream for Toyota.
The automaker plans to begin offering a small, talking robot to Japanese customers this winter — a strategic product for an aging population with a low birthrate, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Kirobo Mini is designed to replace family members you don’t have, which might explain why it will criticize your driving habits.
Standing four inches tall and sporting really big eyes (can these things be hacked?), the companion robot will retail for $392 at Toyota dealerships and in stores near the automaker’s Nagoya, Japan head office.
According to Toyota, Kirobo Mini (known as Mr. Roboto to some) is able to recognize your emotions, not unlike a living, breathing dog. Dog ownership in Japan is on the decline, by the way. However, this companion can ride shotgun in your cupholder, is able to carry on a conversation, and doesn’t expel solid or liquid waste.
While Toyota sees a market for the robot in lonely seniors and childless women, the technology could find its way into the company’s vehicles. If you’re in love with your car now, just wait until it asks you if you’re feeling okay.
The automaker claims it could “assimilate hours of data to better the everyday lives of drivers all over the world, informing future innovations and developing transport that’s in tune with the driver’s mood, suggesting places to visit, routes to travel and music to listen to.”
Marketable, for sure, but we’re imagining a creepy future where frustrated, 30-something men turn to their cars for companionship. Like the movie Her, but with a crossover.
An expensive 4-inch Teddy Ruxpin for childless Japanese women?
Toyota has just invented the automotive/ToysRUs equivalent of the
Apple Watch.
In America they simply buy purse doggies to carry with them wherever they go. lot cheaper.
For when there’s no one else to tell to STFU.
Yuuyou, ne.
We should buy one for Todd.
Yes!
I think Obamacare will cover the costs.
Only if it could defend itself.
I’m sure that it can be programmed to say Molon labe and start to salivate next to gun shops. Oh, forgot, it doesn’t excrete or secrete fluids. Maybe burp and furt sounds.
Well last week when I had a low grade flu for roughly 72+ hours I could have used someone to listen to my pity party. :)
Cause when your 2 year old gets sick, yo wife ain’t got no time to listen to your bull$hit, Son.
I for one salute our new robotic overlords. Mostly because we’re not having children and will need robot nannies to tidy up the house and change our adult diapers at some point. If the path that gets us there starts with this then so be it.
Bonus points: robotic pity parties.
Not as creepy as Asimo. Looks more like a Lego character.
“Hey, slow down.”
“Did you just roll through that stop sign?”
(Kirobo Mini flies out the window)
Get ’em cheap that way; just hang out by intersections. Preferably with greenery around for a soft landing.
“Hey, you’re drunk! Let me drive!”
“Hey, that’s puke! Let me clean that up!”
Vibrators.com has been willing to sell you a robotic friend for years now…
Always wondered if the Japanese think Americans are weird the way we think they are weird. A Japan is weird story is a stock item in American media. Microsoft Word probably has a wizard that will write one for you. Still, Ford ain’t selling robot buddies to go with your F-150. Weird.
Shinto. If you’ll listen to rocks grow you’ll listen to anything.
Godzilla vs. Kirobo Mini!
I hope it evolves into something more akin to R2D2. R2D2 can operate climate controls, windshield wipers, tell you if cops are nearby, take over driving briefly, and put you back in the right lane if it senses you are camped out in the left lane.
What it can’t do is operate the turn signal for you — a pet peeve of mine when humans don’t do it.
Your plastic pal who’s fun to be with!
I find this creepy .
At least I don’t think it’ll drink the beer when you’re not watching .
-Nate
Having watched some Japanese ads for this displaying a culturally appropriate acceptance of intrusive nannying, I’m impressed with what a great language learning tool it could be for young children.
With today’s sophistication of speech activation and language pedagogy mating the AI to the vast formal and vernacular dictionary databases now available a child could be instructed and entertained at an age when it would stick for life.
But don’t be raggin’ on my driving, little bug faced a-hole.