Yoichiro Masuda wanted to meet the needs of people who live alone and the stresses they face, some of which are made worse by technologies such as smartphones.
That’s why he started leading a team of dozens of specialists behind the development of “NICOBO,” the “weak” or vulnerable robot by Panasonic that relies upon humans to survive.
NICOBO is similar to a pet in that it is cute, cuddly, and endearing—and bonds with its owner over time by responding to and learning from daily interaction.
“With digital evolution, and the speed of information always increasing, people are losing their peace of mind,” says Masuda.
“Our idea was to create something that was in some ways convenient but also weak, something that can help restore peace of mind and mental richness, an effect that sports, for instance, can produce. NICOBO can offer a form of digital detox.”
Meet NICOBO, please click the following.
Source: https://news.panasonic.com/global/stories/14102