Japan thinks about robotics and AI differently that the West.

In addition to their functional, productive role, a lot of thought is also given to our personal interactions, their social role, and the relationships we build with them.

Today we sit down with Shunsuke Aoki, founder of Yukai Engineering and one of the most innovative and creative thinkers on the emotional connection between humans and machines.

We talk about the future of robot companionship, how AI will change the definition of "culture", and why the future of Japanese robotics will have a lot more participation by foreigners.

It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.

Show Notes

The importance of emotional connection with robotsWhy children will listen to robots more then parentsThe importance and future of robot companionshipJapanese vs western robot attitudes in culture and fictionHow GenZ is is accepting AI boyfriends and girlfriendsWhat a healthy emotional connection with an AI or robot looks likeHow to keep AI from influencing us into developing bad habits andWhy do we keep building human like robotsWhy it’s easier to form an emotional connection to Qooboo than AbbotHow to (maybe) make money on emotional robotsWhy the Japanese approach to robotics needs more foreigners in Japan now

Links from our Guest

Everything you ever wanted to know about Yukai EngineeringFollow Shunsuke on Twitter @aopicoFriend him on FacebookConnect on LinkedInYukai's Products

Bocco EmoQooboNekkomimiFufury

TranscriptWelcome to Disrupting Japan, Straight Talk from Japan's most innovative startups and VCs.I'm Tim Romero, and thanks for joining me.Today, we're going to talk about robots because I mean, hey, who doesn't love robots?Now, in past episodes, we've talked a lot about how Japan's relationship with robots and automation is fundamentally different from what it is in the West. It's not really about technology. I mean, technology is universal. It's more about the personal and cultural connection to machines in general.Well, today I have a real treat for you. We sit down and talk with Shunsuke Aoki, the founder of Yukai Engineering. Now Shunsuke may not be that well known outside Japan, but he's one of the most innovative and creative thinkers on the topic of how humans and machines can connect on an emotional and a subconscious level.Now, to be fair, an audio podcast can't really do justice to Yukai engineering's creations, but we're going to do our best. You need to see the videos or really you need to interact with Shunsuke's creations in person to fully understand the emotional impact.Shunsuke and I talk about the future of robot and AI companionship, how AI will change the way we think about culture, and why the future of Japanese robotics will involve a lot more participation from foreigners.But, you know, Shunsuke tells that story much better than I can. So, let's get right to the interview.

InterviewTim: So, we're sitting here with Shunsuke Aoki, the founder of Yukai Engineering who's creating lifestyle robots, and thanks for sitting down with us again. It's been a while.Shunsuke: Thank you. It's been a while.Tim: Yukai over the last decade and a half has been making so many cool, interesting things that just to name a few, your first big hit was the Nekomimi wearable cattier that respond to brainwaves. You have the Qoobo sort of companion pillow which has the cat tail on it. The Bocco family robot that seems to be getting a lot of traction and it's hard to describe these on an audio podcast. But we'll put videos and pictures on the site, but it's hard to understand this kind of emotional impact unless you can touch and interact with these robots. With so much robotics research going on, you've been very focused on this sort of emotional connection. Tell me about that. Why is that important? Why do you focus on that?