Panasonic Nicobo

¥60,500 + ¥1,100/month (Japan)Tax-included body price plus the required Basic Plan subscription (¥1,650/month with the care plan). An installment plan is also offered. Launched via Makuake crowdfunding in 2021, general sale from 2023.

AvailableNot programmableJapan only'Weak robot'Mumbles

Weeks+Shipping: Not for sale in the US. Japan-only, subscription-based. Not offered in the US.

Remote control: Not possible.

Nicobo (Panasonic, Japan) ↗

Overview

Panasonic's deliberately 'weak' robot, a round, knit-covered companion that mumbles in baby talk, wiggles, and occasionally passes wind, designed to be cared for rather than useful. Crowdfunded in Japan in 2021 and sold there with a monthly plan.

Specifications

Category	Companion robots · Desk & social robots
Released	2021
Country	Japan
Availability	Available
Sales	10,000+ sold by March 2026 Impress Watch ↗
Programmability	No programmability
Built-in autonomy	Reactive · Responds to its surroundings without a map, such as avoiding obstacles or following a person
LLM support	None · Panasonic plans an LLM for tangential baby-talk replies in fiscal 2026, not yet confirmed shipped. No API.
Best for	Ages 6+ (estimated)
Vision sensors	Camera
Actuators	Unknown
Audio	Speaker, Microphone
Compute type	Proprietary / undisclosed
Remote control	Not programmable
Size	22.8 × 26 × 20 cm including protrusions, about 1.5 kg
Drive	Stationary, swiveling body and wagging tail
Compute	Not published
Vision	Camera in the nose
Lidar	None
Sensors	Touch sensors, mics
Runtime	About 3.5–4.5 h, charges in about 4–7 h on its bed dock
Speed	N/A
SDK	None