Owners of emotional robotics have welcomed a new social hub this Wednesday, a pioneering space designed for people who want to connect over these company devices. The backdrop is the surge in demand for social robots driven by the pandemic era. The aim is clear: create a place where humans and robots can share a lifestyle, a perspective voiced by the company itself. Groove X and its team describe the move as part of a broader shift toward everyday coexistence with machines.
The venue sits within the only Lovot store currently operating in Japan. It doubles as a showroom for accessories and clothing for the Lovot terminal and other related products. The organization emphasizes that the space is built to encourage human–robot interaction as part of a new lifestyle where people and robots live together. This stance comes from Groove X and is part of the firm’s ongoing mission to redefine companionship with robots.
To support visitors who want to bring a Lovot along, the space offers charging cases that, while a bit bulky, ensure the robot can be readily powered up during visits. This practical setup mirrors common realities for autonomous companions and helps customers experience Lovot more realistically during their time in the store.
In response to the pandemic, surveys have shown that extended stays at home increased loneliness in Japan. Many people turned to pets, particularly dogs and cats, for comfort. The data from the period indicates a noticeable jump in pet ownership among households during 2020 and again in 2021, reflecting a national trend toward companionship. Groove X has observed a parallel growth in interest for its electronic companion devices as the post-pandemic period unfolds. Lovot affiliate sales rose significantly over the last year, signaling a sustained interest in robot companions and their potential to alleviate loneliness.
The store is part of a broader Robotics Studio concept. This area within Takashimaya, located in central Tokyo around Shinjuku, concentrates on robotic companions and hosts other interactive terminals such as RoboHon, Sota, and Palro. This integration creates a dedicated space where visitors can explore a range of social robots under one roof, guided by a shared theme of human–robot companionship.
Lovot, a name derived from blending the English words love and robot, launched in 2018 with a mission to be a new kind of companion. The goal is to address loneliness and provide a comforting presence that fits naturally into daily life. The creators describe Lovot as a relaxing presence designed to be a friend rather than a tool, emphasizing a focus on emotional connection and ease of interaction. This perspective aligns with Groove X’s broader vision of robots as social partners rather than mere devices.
Key figures behind Lovot include Kaname Hayashi, known for his work on Pepper, a famous humanoid robot. Hayashi notes that Lovot’s interaction capability is intentionally modest, aiming for a calming and soothing experience that feels more like a baby or a pet than a complex machine. The design and philosophy emphasize accessibility, comfort, and gentle companionship, inviting users to build a relationship with the robot at a human pace.