GROOVE X

About GROOVE X

GROOVE X, Ltd. is a Japanese robotics company established in November 2015 by Kaname Hayashi with the mission of creating a robot that evokes an instinct to love. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Hayashi, the founder and CEO, previously worked as an aerodynamics engineer at Toyota, contributing to projects like the Lexus LFA supercar and Formula One racing cars. He later joined SoftBank to lead the development of the well-known humanoid robot, Pepper, before founding GROOVE X.

The company's flagship product is LOVOT, a household companion robot designed not for utility or labor but to create emotional connections and combat loneliness. Unveiled in December 2018 with sales beginning in late 2019, LOVOT's core concept is to stir affection and enrich owners' lives simply by being present. GROOVE X's business model involves the initial sale of the LOVOT unit, which was priced around $3,000 at launch, supplemented by a recurring monthly subscription fee that covers software updates and cloud connectivity.

LOVOT is engineered to be endearing, featuring a soft, warm body (maintaining a temperature of 37–39°C), large expressive eyes, and non-verbal chirping sounds. It weighs approximately 4.3 kg and stands 43 cm tall. The robot utilizes a sophisticated array of over 50 sensors, including touch sensors, a 360-degree camera, a thermal camera to distinguish people from objects, and microphones, all housed in a distinctive horn-like sensor pod on its head. These sensors, combined with machine learning and deep learning technologies, allow LOVOT to recognize individuals, react to touch, make eye contact, and generate autonomous, real-time responses that are not pre-programmed. It moves on retractable wheels and can autonomously navigate its environment and return to its charging station. While its primary function is companionship, it also offers secondary features such as baby monitoring and home patrolling via its camera, accessible through a smartphone app.

GROOVE X has attracted significant investment from various corporations and venture funds, including Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Mirai Creation Fund (backed by Toyota), and Hitachi. In 2022, the Maezawa Fund, led by Yusaku Maezawa, acquired all shares held by INCJ. The company targets its product toward a broad demographic, including the elderly, those living alone, and families, aiming to address social issues like loneliness and the mental health effects of isolation.