Pecha Kucha Ku—Cha from Daiwa Toys isn’t quite what we pictured our robot sidekick to look like. Actually he (she?) is a whole lot cuter. Despite the decidedly non-tech appearance, this little cartoon colored bear has a built in voice recognition function that can respond to simple questions and statements.
Ask Ku—Cha for the time or your daily horoscope and the wide-eyed bear will cheerfully reply from the speakers built into his armchair. He can also make simple conversation: tell Ku—Cha good morning and he’ll reply, tell him you are back and he’ll say “welcome home.”
This desktop companion is certainly not the most high-tech toy on the market, but for only ¥3,990 it is infinitely affordable and just one more example of how interactive toys and tools are no longer a vision of the future in Japan but totally acceptable (and coveted) consumer goods.
And more importantly Ku—Cha serves a real function, after all how much nicer is to have someone (or something) to say good morning to, and actually get a reply?
It’s not fair. I want a couch potato robot bear buddy! America won’t have such products until 10 years have passed by. I wonder how it responds with the “Does this make me look fat?” question. Thanks much.
seriously, can this be found anywhere in the US? i want one, or something like it…any suggestions?