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The Emotional Companion: How LOVOT Redefines Robotics for Modern Living

Joel Fukuzawa
3 min readNov 17, 2024

Modern Pressures and the Rise of LOVOT
In today’s society, single women over the age of 30 often navigate dual pressures from professional and personal spheres. Enter LOVOT, a companion robot introduced in 2019 by Japanese robotics innovator GROOVE X. Designed to forge emotional connections, LOVOT has become a beloved choice for this demographic. Despite its premium price tag — approximately ¥570,000 per unit with additional monthly maintenance fees ranging from ¥9,900 to ¥19,000 — over 14,000 units have been sold. This adoption underscores the value users find in a robot that offers emotional solace over functional utility, making it an integral part of their lives.

The Philosophy of “Uselessness”
LOVOT’s defining feature lies in its intentional “uselessness.” Unlike most smart devices designed for practical purposes, LOVOT neither engages in conversations nor completes tasks like cleaning. Instead, it captivates users through over a billion unique emotional interactions, including affectionate gazes, cheerful sounds, and playful movements. Interestingly, LOVOT occasionally ignores its owner’s calls, a subtle imperfection that enhances its authenticity and charm. This design philosophy consciously avoids mimicking humans or animals to sidestep any uncanny valley effect. With its round shape and…

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Joel Fukuzawa
Joel Fukuzawa

Written by Joel Fukuzawa

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