Learning ApproachOfficial claim
Other learning method
PanasonicNICOBO
Price
JPY 60,500
Type
Desktop Robots
Applications
Household · Companion
Status
Commercial
Availability
On sale
Purchase
Online
Release Date
2021
Country/Region
Japan
Last Verified
2026-08-14
3.5–4.5 h
Runtime
1.5 kg
Weight
0.2 m
Height
NICOBO is a Panasonic and ICD-LAB companion robot based on the “weak robot” concept. Its soft knitted body, blinking eyes, wagging tail, voice interaction and changing moods accompany life at home. It cannot move by itself and requires Wi‑Fi and a smartphone app.
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Intelligence Profile
Capability Map
InteractionOfficial claim
Speech interaction
Panasonic states that NICOBO responds to its owner’s voice, learns certain words and phrases, and may speak spontaneously.
InteractionOfficial claim
Human collaboration
The official story describes NICOBO as an emotional-support companion that responds to voice and touch, signals when it wants a hug and learns to interact gradually with its owner.
AutonomyOfficial claim
Long-horizon task
Panasonic states that NICOBO learns its owner’s face and gradually learns interaction patterns in a relationship-like way.
Hardware Specification
Physical Specifications
Color
Stone Gray; Smoke Navy; Shell Pink
Locomotion Type
Stationary; cannot move by itself
Materials
Soft knitted exterior
Soft Padding
Soft and cuddly body
Dimensions (Standing)
228 × 260 × 200 mm (including protrusions)
Surface Fabric
Knit
Mechanical and mounting
Depth
260 mm (including protrusions)
Height
0.2 m
Weight
1.5 kg
Width
228 mm (including protrusions)
Sensors
Camera
Nose camera for face recognition
IMU
Two 6-axis sets: 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer
Lighting (sensing)
Illuminance sensing and reaction to strong light
Sensors
Two 6-axis sensor sets, illuminance sensor and temperature sensors
Battery and Runtime
Battery Type
Lithium-ion battery
Charging Time
4–7 h
Power Supply
Battery powered; dedicated charging dock
Runtime
3.5–4.5 h
Interaction and Communication
Audio I/O
Speaker and three microphones
Communication
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11ac/n/a/g/b, 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz
Display
Two LCD displays as eyes
Microphone
3 microphones
Speaker
Speaker
Tactile Feedback
Tail wagging and body movement when petted
Visual Recognition
Face recognition
Voice Interaction
Moco language and gradual word learning
Development and Expansion
App Platform
Dedicated smartphone app for iOS and Android
Commercial Information
Availability
Available for purchase in Japan
Price
JPY 60,500 (tax included)
Subscription Price
JPY 1,100 per month
Warranty
100 days
Commercial Status
Status
Commercial
Price
JPY 60,500
Release Date
2021
Deployment records
Progress, changes and sources from real-world projects.
NICOBO at Uchida Yoko’s Team Base office
株式会社内田洋行 and 株式会社内田洋行ビジネスエキスパート
Pilot
- Partner
- 株式会社内田洋行 and 株式会社内田洋行ビジネスエキスパート · Customer
- Scenario
- Companion
- Primary task
- Encourage informal conversation among colleagues across teams and generations, make coffee breaks more social, and act as a small host during meetings with visitors.
- Location
- Uchida Yoko Group Team Base, Tokyo, Japan
- Started
- Undisclosed
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
- Operating sites
- 1
Deployment timeline · 1
Panasonic publishes the Uchida Yoko Team Base customer case
As of the verified evidence; this is not live operating status.2026-10-10
Pilot
- Partner
- 学校法人愛美学園 啓明学館高等学校 · Customer
- Scenario
- Education Platform
- Primary task
- Provide a welcoming presence in the student counseling room so students feel comfortable dropping in early, and join morning greetings at the school entrance.
- Location
- Keimeigakkan High School, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Started
- Undisclosed
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
- Operating sites
- 1
Deployment timeline · 1
Panasonic publishes the Keimeigakkan High School customer case
As of the verified evidence; this is not live operating status.2026-10-10
Related Entities
Dexterous hands
No specific dexterous hand model confirmed.
Timeline
- Robot releaseNICOBO
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