Trying to get a
foot into the global mobile phone market, Sharp took a
different route: they developed a pocket-sized robot which features a
full smart phone.
Baptized
as RoboHon (combining the
Japanese words for "robot" and "phone"), this robot/phone
combo companion had its world premiere at CEATEC 2015 in Japan.
This
20cm high robot walks, dances, talks, responds to questions, has a
built in camera and a projector to beam images onto surfaces, speaks
out when e-mails or text messages arrive. With incoming calls it is a
phone but can also respond, or use built-in speakers.
RoboHon can be carried in the
breast pocket or in carrying cases already available. In a car, he sits
on the dashboard.
Sharp
intends to market RoboHon in Japan first from
February 2016 and plans a global roll-out in future. RoboHon first has to learn other
languages than Japanese.
First
reactions during the CEATEC show were quite impressive: despite a bulky
form when compared to typical smartphones, Robohon created an uproar.
Everybody seemed to fall in love with the little guy. From the land of
the Tamagotchi, Wacky Wall Walkers, anime, karaoke, manga, RoboHon could be just the
smartphone hit that Sharp is looking for...
[Reportage
by Peter Weber, direct from CEATEC
2015]
Go RoboHon
Watch the
product video