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Gundam's Haro Mascot Debuts in Real Life as Talking Robot
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
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The day when fans can talk with Gundam's Haro mascot in real-life has come. The Guncierge Haro communication robot with artificial intelligence is debuting at the Ceatec Japan 2017 event, which is being held at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba from October 3-6.
People who purchase Guncierge Haro will be able to have conversations with it. The robot's artificial intelligence will be able to recognize people's voices and analyze conversation for meaning and intentions. Haro will search a database for the best responses and be able to interact and talk with people about topics related to Gundam.
The event's attendees can try communicating with Guncierge Haro. Japanese news sources have posted videos of Haro in action at the event.
Guncierge Haro will have multi-colored LED lights in its eyes and mouth. The robot will be able to sway in all directions so that it can continue to face the person it is interacting with. Guncierge Haro will also be able to connect to smartphones and Bluetooth-equipped devices such as external speakers and alarm clocks.
Bandai Namco Studio is planning the project, and IBM Japan is developing the artificial intelligence focused on the world of Gundam. VAIO is producing Haro's mechanisms and electronics.
Guncierge Haro is slated to debut in 2018.
Haro debuted in the original Mobile Suit Gundam television anime in 1979. In the story, Amuro builds Haro and gives it to Frau as a pet robot. Haro has since appeared in various Gundam anime and has become a popular character.
Sources: Anime! Anime! (Yuma), Gundam.info, AV Watch
Disclosure: Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., is a non-controlling, minority shareholder in Anime News Network Inc.
