At a time when even basic human interactions are discouraged for security reasons, there is an even greater demand for alternative sources of companionship. But if you’re not ready for a dog or a cat’s responsibilities just yet, Panasonic has introduced yet another companion robot Which conscientiously pays attention to you through bouts of flatulence – just like a real pet.
Nicobo is not easy to describe; it’s like someone turned a bowl over, gave him a pair of lively eyes, a wagging tail, then wrapped him in an old sock. It has no lure option – it won’t come when you call it – but it is attached to a moving base so it can spin back and forth and see from top to bottom. Developed in collaboration with robotics researchers from Toyohashi University of Technology Michio Oka Laboratory, Nicobo also includes a camera for recognizing faces, multiple directional microphones for recognizing voices and turning to pay attention, touch sensors so it knows when is touched or hugged, and a light sensor so he can enjoy a nap in bright sunlight just like a cat.
Rather than picking up laundry or cleaning your floors, Nicobo is all about easy company. So when someone strokes it, the robot’s tail begins to wag in appreciation. But it can also have days when it is mood isn’t that affable, and that’s probably when it won’t think twice about farting around you.
Nicobo can talk too, but in the beginning it speaks only a single word (similar to The Guardian of the Galaxy’s Groot’s limited but expressive vocabulary) but in the end, it mumbles complete sentences in katakoto – the Japanese word for broken language or baby talk. You will never have a long conversation with Nicobo, but the harsh murmur will reinforce the feeling that he is really paying attention and listening to your feelings, even though he can’t help it. Sometimes that’s all a human needs.
Getting your hands on Nicobo is a bit complicated. For starters, Panasonic only plans to make 320 units of the small robot initially, with a price tag of about $ 360. But it handles pre-orders by its own crowdfunding platform with the goal of raising 10,000,000 YEN (about $ 95,000) before production actually takes place. After the first six months Owners are also expected to cough up about $ 10 per month to take advantage of even the most basic of Nicobo’s features, such as smartphone connectivity and software updates. We hate seeing companies pay for nickel and dime like that, but monthly expenses make Nicobo feel more like an authentic pet.
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The other complication is that it looks all pre-orders for Nicobo have already been claimed at this point – about six hours after the launch of the crowdfunding campaign. There could still be cancellations, and there’s always a chance that if Panasonic finds it has a runaway hit, it will ramp up production. Until then, especially if you are outside of Japan, finding a Nicobo can be more difficult than the challenges of raising a puppy or kitten.