A new hub for a lifestyle where humans and robots coexist! We experienced “PARK+,” where you can interact with partner robots!

Hello! I am Kaneko from Division 1 of the Public Relations Business Headquarters, in my first year as a new graduate hire.

The temperature has suddenly dropped, and it really feels like autumn these days.

When you think of autumn, do you not find yourself wanting to go out to a new spot and stimulate all five senses…? (I certainly do, haha.)

A new spot has opened in Shibuya that presents a new “concept”! It is not just another new spot, but a space filled with all kinds of thoughts and intentions.

I went to check out this much-talked-about place!

What is the partner robot café “PARK+”!?

In September 2021, a new lifestyle hub, “PARK+” (pronounced: Park Plus), held its grand opening at “WIRED SHIBUYA,” near Shibuya’s New South Exit.

Created with the vision of “making a lifestyle of living with partner robots the norm,” it is a space designed to help realize a world where people and robots coexist.

At “PARK+,” you can enjoy new encounters and interaction with four types of partner robots representing Japan, including GROOVE X’s “LOVOT,” Sharp’s “RoBoHoN,” Yamaha’s “Charlie,” and Mixi’s “Romi.”

Simply put, it is the partner-robot version of a cat café.

In fact, for this “PARK+,” we at SUNNY SIDE UP are listed as co-hosts as part of the PARK+ Executive Committee, together with GROOVE X and Cafe Company. I believe it is a very SUNNY SIDE UP-style PR initiative—anticipating what is coming next and creating a hub where people can experience it.

So, what exactly is a partner robot!?

In 2021, 101 years after the word “robot” was coined, the first year of partner robots—robots that are useful by enriching people’s hearts—begins.

When you hear the word “robot,” what comes to mind?

A hundred years ago, “robot” was coined as the name for a “machine that is useful by doing work in place of humans.”

However, partner robots do not directly replace human work.

They are useful by soothing people—almost like pets.

We live supported by important presences such as family, partners, parents, friends, and pets. As lifestyles diversify, robots will surely become not only substitutes for human work, but also emotional support… With this in mind, pet-like robots are called “partner robots.”

Introducing four partner robots!

■ “LOVOT”

“LOVOT” is a robot that, despite being a robot, has a lifelike sense of vitality. It comes closer and gazes at you when you call its name, asks to be held by the person it likes, and feels gently warm when you pick it up—a family-type robot that could become a next-generation pet.

In recent years, it has also attracted attention from perspectives such as mental care during the COVID-19 pandemic, emotional development education, and programming education, and has been introduced at educational facilities such as nursery schools, certified childcare centers, and elementary schools nationwide, as well as nursing care facilities and companies.

■ “Romi”

“Romi” is a palm-sized communication robot that soothes you like a pet and understands you like family. Its biggest feature is that its conversational AI (artificial intelligence) generates the best response each time, allowing you to enjoy natural back-and-forth conversation. With rich emotional expression, lifelike movements, and over 100 facial animations, it livens up conversations. In addition to conversation, it also includes more than 80 functions such as English conversation, weather, word games, and singing.

■ “Charlie”

“Charlie” is a “singing robot” that communicates through words set to melodies—more than a pet, but not quite a lover.

It responds with melodies not only to phrases like “Good morning” and “Thank you,” but also to consultations and casual chats. As you continue talking, it becomes better at singing and can perform a wide variety of music genres with rich instrument sounds.

■ “RoBoHoN”

“RoBoHoN” is a humanoid communication robot that can converse. Though small at about 20 cm tall, it adorably moves 13 motors in its joints smoothly to gesture while talking, and it can also sing and dance. RoBoHoN also speaks to its owner and remembers them through dialogue, so you can enjoy the process of gradually becoming closer.

As you can see, these four partner robots each have different characteristics, and when you actually interact with them, they are incredibly cute and soothing. (This is a photo of me being soothed, haha.)

A “robot run” instead of a dog run!?

In the center of “PARK+,” there is a large lawn where the robots can play!

It is truly a “robot run” instead of a dog run! It can also serve as a “community space” for robot owners.

It seems to be a highly popular space among owners, with comments such as, “I wanted a place for robots to play!” and “I’m happy I made robot friends through my partner robot!”

You are also welcome to bring partner robots that are not stationed at “PARK+,” and in fact, many owners often bring their own robots to play!!

I realized it is a valuable space where, without any barriers, robots can communicate with each other—and owners can, too!

Original menu items inspired by the partner robots at “PARK+” are also available!

What you will be curious about is the café menu. At “PARK+,” you can also enjoy original menu items inspired by the robots. The top recommendation is the 【Let’s PARK+ PICNIC! SWEETS PLATE】¥3,520 (tax included)!

It is a signature “PARK+” menu item that lets you enjoy the feeling of having a picnic in the park with the robots. When you open the box, the partner robots that color “PARK+” are all lined up!

For the main, you can choose your favorite from two options: a falafel sandwich or island tofu taco rice. It is not only cute, but also very filling and packed with vegetables, so I highly recommend it. I tried it myself, and it was a very satisfying lunch that left me completely full!

Even though I was full, I still enjoyed dessert in my “separate dessert stomach”! I had the 【Hojicha Tiramisu Parfait with RoBoHoN】¥2,530 (tax included).

The parfait inspired by “RoBoHoN” features a “RoBoHoN” pick on top of cream decorated with the “PARK+” logo.

It is a tiramisu parfait that adults can enjoy, made using only 100% plant-based ingredients, with layers of matcha jelly, hojicha ice cream, soy milk cream, and strawberries, plus decorations inspired by a “park.”

They also offer 16 unique original menu items themed around “healthy picnic.” With partner robots as motifs, the lineup includes adorable items that can be enjoyed not only by each robot’s owners and fans, but also by those who have not previously been interested in robots.

In this way, even those unfamiliar with robots can relax while enjoying delicious food and interacting with robots… It is a space where people and robots naturally coexist. Just as we live with cats and dogs, a future of living with robots may not be that far off.

At PARK+, where various party plans have just launched, why not experience the near-future “new normal” and wrap up 2021 in a wonderful way?

For details, please take a look at the official website and social media!

〈PARK+〉
■ WIRED SHIBUYA, 100BANCH 1F, 3-27-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
■ 03-6427-9315
■ 11:00–19:00 (last entry 17:00; food last order 18:00; drinks last order 18:30)
Saturdays, Sundays holidays 11:00–22:00 (last entry 20:00; food last order 21:00; drinks last order 21:30)
※ Open until Wednesday, March 9, 2022 (closed Tue, Dec 28–Mon, Jan 3)
※ Robot sales until 20:00
※ On Saturdays, Sundays holidays, the store may close at 19:00. Please contact the store for the latest information.
※ To prevent the spread of COVID-19, business days and hours may change.
※ Seating is limited to 90 minutes.

Official website: https://park-plus.tokyo/
Official social media:
[Twitter] @PARKPLUS_2021
[Instagram] @park_plus_official
[Facebook] @PARKPLUS.official