The device, which Sharp calls the RoBoHoN, will be first available in Japan commercially on May 26 for at least $1,950. It was first showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Spain in February.
Jointly designed and developed by Sharp’s mobile phone development team and renowned robot architect Tomotaka Takahashi, the robot mobile phone stands 19.5 centimeters tall, weighs 390 grams and has a two-inch screen fitted into its back.
“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.
“This humanoid robot can walk on two legs and is compact enough (approx. 19.5 cm tall) to be carried almost anywhere.”
The devices, which can be carried and used almost anywhere, also can be operated through voice commands. They are supported by LTE and 3G networks and have basic smartphone functions such as e-mail and camera.
“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.
“What’s more, RoBoHoN can grow to accommodate more natural communication with the user by learning the user’s profile and usage situation.”
Since last week, Sharp has started accepting preorders for the robot mobile phone through the product’s website: https://robohon.com/.
“The sales of RoBoHoN is a starting point of the newly born Sharp,” Yoshisuke Hasegawa, a senior official of the firm, said at a news conference in Tokyo on April 14.
Sharp first announced the development of the little robot that doubles as a smartphone at an electronics show in October last year.
