The device, called the RoBoHon, is only available in Japan as the Japanese firm is initially producing 5,000 units a month.
On Thursday, a display center dubbed the RoBoHon Café opened at the Aoyama district in Tokyo for visitors to try the robotic smartphone.
Aside from the café, which will run until June 7, the product is also available at 200 electronics stores across Japan.
The device weighs 390 grams, is about 19.5 centimeters tall and has a two-inch screen fitted into its back. It is jointly designed and developed by renowned robot architect Tomotaka Takahashi and Sharp’s mobile phone development team.
“The phone was developed in collaboration with Tomotaka Takahashi, Project Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and CEO of robot development company Robo Garage Co., Ltd. RoBoHoN is the world’s first mobile robotic phone,” Sharp announced on its website in April.
As reported by Digital Journal last month, the device has basic smartphone functions such as email and camera and is supported by LTE and 3G networks. It can also be operated through voice commands.
“A newly developed built-in compact laser projector with focus-free operation allows users to project photos, videos, and maps onto a screen or wall. Users can also download dedicated apps to give RoBoHoN new functions and services,” Sharp said.
The robotic mobile phone was first showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Spain in February.
Yoshisuke Hasegawa, a senior official of the firm, said the “sales of RoBoHoN is a starting point of the newly born Sharp.”
It is not known, however, when the device will be available worldwide.
