RoBoHoN is the small and easily portable robot-shaped phone packed with an array of cutting-edge features and is creating a lot of interest online. Here we take a look at what the future of robotics looks like.
Innovation is in Sharp’s DNA. Its inventions have come in many shapes and sizes, but until now, nothing as cute as RoBoHoN, the small and easily portable robot-shaped phone, available for pre-order in Japan. Despite his playful exterior, he is packed with a wide array of technology and cutting-edge features and is creating a lot of interest online.
RoBoHoN is a humanoid-shaped robot that stands 19.5cm tall and can walk on his own two legs. He may have been designed with a consumer focus but many of the technologies found inside this compact package could just as easily work in an office environment.
Here we take a look at the top facts you need to know about RoBoHoN:
Fact #1: RoBoHoN was developed in collaboration with Tomotaka Takahashi, Project Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology and CEO of robot development company Robo Garage Co. Ltd.
Fact #2: RoBoHoN is believed to be the world’s first hybrid of robot and mobile phone telephony. Along with basic phone functions he supports LTE and 3G networks (Japan only), so you’ll find email and other online services, such as Cloud access, built into the device.
Fact #3: The smartphone is based around the Android 5.0 operating system and accessed using the 2-inch touchscreen. The phone is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 2GB of RAM, making it a quick and responsive phone.
Fact #4: Alongside the telephony features you’ll also find that RoBoHoN has been designed to learn, so the more you use the robotic phone, the more it will learn about you and about the ways you use the phone and the additional functions. To this end, you’ll find that face-recognition as well as voice recognition software is an integral part of RoBoHoN.
Fact #5: There is also voice activity detection software built into RoBoHoN, so he’ll be able to identify where you are in the room and move to you, as opposed to you having to always look for your phone.
Fact #6: In order to find his way around, RoBoHoN has nine different sensors tucked away inside him. With three axis accelerometers, three axis geo-magnetometers, three-axis gyroscope, as well as a light sensor, he can manipulate his environment with ease, making it easy for him to walk and know his exact location.
Fact #7: What’s more, the phone has been designed to evolve over time with the development of the RoBoHoN Store. Here you will find dedicated apps to give RoBoHoN new functions and services.
Fact #8: If you’re looking to use RoBoHoN for a presentation, there is a HD projector built-in to the miniature robot, offering focus-free playback at a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels – ideal for showing photos and videos like a certain other famous robot from a galaxy far far away.
Fact #9: Right now, RoBoHoN is only available, and only works, in Japan.
Fact #10: If you need to know even more about this diminutive wonder, then check out the specially craft video.
Find out more about RoBoHoN
