Japanese phone makers from Sharp Corporation have designed RoBoHon, an adorable robot smartphone that can move and talk.
RoBoHon aims to be more than a cell phone or a digital personal assistant. It strives to be considered a true companion, capable of changing our perception regarding how a device used for communicating should look and operate.
According to company representatives, “RoBoHon is a phone you have never seen before. A phone in human shape. A phone that you feel like talking to. A phone that also wants to know you. To hear what you hear, to see what you see, to share the same dreams. That is little RoBoHon’s big dream”.
The mobile device is 8 inches tall and its appearance mimics that of an actual human being, with a cute cartoon-like face, and articulate limbs. This is a huge departure from ubiquitous mobile phones, which are in their vast majority simple, boring rectangles.
Despite its unusual look, RoBoHon can actually perform all the usual tasks expected of a smartphone: making phone calls, taking photos, playing audio or video content, browsing the Internet or downloading apps.
However, aside from these traditional functionality elements, the device has a wide array of features pertaining to a toy robot. It can walk, sit or stand, and it can even perform dance moves. Also, it lifts its arms whenever it wants to communicate with its user.
The phone weighs approximately 0.85 pounds and supports Wi-Fi and 3G/LTE. At its back there’s a 2-inch screen with a QVGA display mode (320×240 pixels). Moreover, RoBoHon is equipped with a 1.2 Ghz quad-core processor and it also features a camera at its front.
Its facial recognition software allows it to accurately identify people and even react to their moods. Another interesting characteristic is that the device also has a projector, for displaying videos and images, like in a miniature movie theater.
In addition, RoBoHon can perform tasks for its lucky user, based on the commands it receives. For instance, the anthropomorphic phone can act as a talking alarm clock, takes notes like a secretary, or serve as a reminder when it comes to scheduled activities.
Moreover, thanks to its in-built voice recognition software, it can even hold a conversation and bond much more easily and naturally with its user than other more impersonal handsets.
The much-awaited gadget will be commercially available in Japan in the first semester of 2016, and those who are interested can subscribe to the company’s newsletter in order to get more information about the upcoming release . No price tag has been announced as of yet, but given all the incredible features this device includes, its potential buyers will probably purchase it regardless of its price.
Image Source: RoBoHon