Japanese robotics firm Yukai Engineering is set to showcase its weird but cute tech expertise at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 with its new breathing robotic pillow "Fulfuly", according to the company's press release on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
The cute robotic pillow won the CES 2023 Innovation Award and will be revealed for the first time in Las Vegas from Jan. 5 to 8, 2023.
Respiration-Inducing Robot
The breathing cushion is a respiration-inducing robot that anyone can hold for comfort, according to Yukai Engineering. It expands and contracts as if it is breathing like a living creature.
This new tech was founded on breathing and rest studies conducted by the University of Tokyo, JT, Hakuhodo, and Yukai Engineering. The next step for the project hinges on further production to eventually commercialize the pillow.
Japan is known for its intense hustle culture. The modern world in general banks on this culture for people to make ends meet and as such it can be physically and mentally tolling.
Hence, Yukai Engineering wants workers to be more conscious and encourage them to rest and take breaks with the help of a robotic pillow.
The firm's press release said they wanted to create a product that would relax people and allow them to take a deep breath naturally.
The robotics company banked on the respiratory entrainment phenomenon, which states that living creatures have a mechanism that unconsciously synchronizes the rhythm and depth of breathing.
Yukai Engineering claims that just holding Fulfuly while it expands and contracts will help users achieve this synchronization.
Deep Breathing Technology
The University of Tokyo's research has proven that the robot's movement causes breathing to change in rhythm and intensity.
The key is a device called Deep Breathing Technology, which is based on how living things are drawn to the sounds of their companion's breathing.
In sum, this unique and fascinating tech employs the entrainment phenomenon of breathing.
Yukai Engineering said in a statement translated from Japanese: "It expands and contracts just like a living creature breathes, and just by holding it, both the rhythm and depth of breathing are naturally synchronized, making it possible to calm the mind and improve task performance."
The company will also unveil a new device called Lightony, which is a humanoid bedside lamp that encourages users to fall asleep faster.
It is worth noting that Yukai Engineering is also behind the quirky and cute cat pillow at last year's CES. The robot is called the Amagami Ham Ham, a cuddly toy that nibbles at your fingers to increase relaxation.
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