Starting out as a Kickstarter campaign, Bocco the "family robot" is another cute robot offering at this year's CEATEC. Developed by Yukai engineering, the device's main focus is to act as a replacement smartphone and communication portal between family members. If you feel that your children are too young for a full phone, for example, Bocco could be used to keep track of your kids -- thanks to an inbuilt motion sensor which notifies you of when your children arrive back from school -- or you could send a text message which Bocco will relay through speech.
Bocco is already on sale in Japan, but it is not known when -- or if -- the robot will reach international shores.
The idea has merit, although confusingly can only be used when wired in -- limiting the device to a family environment with plugs available. This is certainly a shame, as otherwise the robot could act as a substitute smartphone for children and their parents to stay in touch.
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