We are launching the “Tomodachi Robot” project, which offers a new perspective on the relationship between robots and humans and explores a future where technology and humanity converge—not only from the standpoint of technical innovation but also from social and cultural perspectives.

Thanks to advances in AI and robotics, robots have transcended their role as mere tools and are now capable of serving as friends to humans. Japan occupies a unique position globally when it comes to robots as friends. This project aims to explore the potential for robots to integrate into people’s lives as friends and to disseminate these ideas both domestically and internationally.

As the first event in this series, we will hold a symposium titled “Tomodachi Robot Kickoff Event” at Chomorrow on Saturday, October 12.

We hope you'll join us!

★Press Release

http://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000015.000126992.html

[Project Members] * indicates speakers for the event

・RoBoHoN *・Romi

*・Amakami Ham Ham
*・BOCCO emo
*・Pepper
*・Sharp Corporation (Miho Kagei*, Toshiyuki Kamei, Yuko Iwakoshi)
・MIXI, Inc. (Teru Nagaoka*, Mina Miyoshi, Ayu Yuki)
・Yukai Engineering Co., Ltd. (Shunsuke Aoki*, Tsubasa Tominaga, Mai Yabumoto)
・SoftBank Robotics Corp. (Tomoyuki Moriyama)
・SoftBank Corp. (Rie Naoi*)
・Seishi Takahashi (CEO, Bye Bye World): Clapping
Robot・Tomomi Ota*(Assistant Professor, Osaka College of Music): Robot Friendly Project
; Michio Okada* (ICD-LAB / Professor, Toyohashi University of Technology): Weak Robot
; Hideyuki Takahashi* (Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University): The Robot That Does Nothing
; Nanako Ishido* (B Lab): tomodachi robot

[Symposium: “Tomodachi Robot Kickoff Event”]

On the day of the event, there will be a THE★ROBOTS dance performed by aibo, Romi, Pepper, Robohon, BOCCO emo, and PALRO, as well as,

We will be hosting a talk event to discuss the relationship between robots and humans in Japan.

With the rapid advancement of AI and robotics, robots are expected to evolve beyond mere tools for assisting with tasks to become integral parts of human life.This project proposes the concept of robots coexisting with humans as “friends,” aiming to enhance their social value while exploring new application areas for products and technologies. Leading Japanese companies that share this vision have come together for this event, where discussions will take place across organizational boundaries—we hope you’ll look forward to it!

https://tomodachirobot.peatix.com