New article: Kirobo Mini: Toyota unveils a cute robot baby for childless women read more at here http://www.spinonews.com/index.php/technology/item/1125-kirobo-mini-toyota-unveils-a-cute-robot-baby-for-childless-women

Toyota has created a tiny robot baby that it hopes can make lonely people happier.

The Kirobo Mini robot, created by Toyota Motor Corp, aims to emulate a human baby and even "wobbles" like an infant "which hasn't fully developed the skills to balance itself," its chief design engineer Fuminori Kataoka said. "This vulnerability is meant to invoke an emotional connection."

                                                                          

 

Toyota plans to sell Kirobo Mini, which blinks its eyes and speaks with a baby-like high-pitched voice, for 39,800 yen ($392) in Japan next year. It also comes with a "cradle" that doubles as its baby seat designed to fit in car cup holders.

The little robot includes a camera, microphone and a Bluetooth connection. It uses that to connect to the smartphone that makes it work, alongside a small subscription fee. Voice recognition means it will turn its head when it is spoken to.

The little robot is four inches tall, speaks like a baby. It is a small version of the original Kirobo robot – which had a lot more capabilities and was sent into space in 2013.

Mr Kataoka said more people in Japan were now living alone, including the elderly and young singles, and they need someone or something to communicate with. 

 

"Toyota has been making cars that have a lot of valuable uses. But this time we’re just pushing emotional value," Mr Kataoka said.

The Kirobo Mini robot will be launched in Tokyo and near the company headquarters in central Aichio prefecture, before a planned nationwide rollout next year. The company said, there are currently no plans to sell it outside Japan. Know more about Kirobo Mini Robot.