Meet RoBoHon : Sharp new smartphone robot

A walking smartphone robot has been launched in Japan by Sharp.

Called RoBoHon, it has an Android smartphone for a body with tiny legs and arms.

Sharp is producing 5000 RoboHon units a month, each selling for about US$1850, plus monthly charges.

Sharp says the robotic phone was developed in collaboration with Robo Garage Co CEO Tomotaka Takahashi, who is also project associate professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology.

Sharp says users will be able to download apps to give RoBoHon more features. The company has even launched a RoBoHon Cafe where people can try out the robot as well as order robot-inspired dishes and beverages.

Standing 19.5cm high, the robot can walk, dance and answer calls. It weighs 390g. and can recognise people by their face and remember their names.

RoboHon can hold small objects with its hands, and can also be used as a projector and broadcast video.