Sanrio, NTT East release talking Hello Kitty robot for firms

Jiji Press

18:13 JST, April 22, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Sanrio Co. and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corp. said Thursday that a small talking robot modeled after the popular Hello Kitty character can be leased to companies from Aug.18.

The robot is expected to help improve customer firms’ service and image by conducting reception services at companies and offering information at tourist facilities, communicating with people using cute voices and gestures, according to Sanrio and NTT East.

The Hello Kitty Robot is 33 centimeters tall and can be placed on tables. It “faithfully” reproduces the Hello Kitty voice in interactive dialogue, the companies said.

The robot can be customized based on the situation in which it is used, and can improve the content of conversations based on accumulated conversation data.

Sanrio and NTT East hope that the robot can be also used as a presenter at exhibitions and as a master of ceremonies for events at elderly care and children’s facilities.