#Japan #Tokyo #Good Design #Romi #AI Robot

Romi AI Robot: A New Standard in Conversational Experience

MIXI, a Tokyo-based company, has announced that its new conversational AI robot, Romi (Lacatan Model), has been awarded the prestigious Good Design Award 2025. This accolade recognizes Romi's dedication to not just being a product, but a comforting companion that understands and interacts with users in a familial manner. The new model is a successor to the original Romi, which received the same award in 2021.

Launch and Innovations of Romi (Lacatan Model)

Officially launched on July 25, 2025, the Romi (Lacatan Model) features significant design improvements that integrate seamlessly into living spaces. Maintaining its rounded organic design, this model aims to elevate the conversational experience through comprehensive enhancements. It features a large IPS LCD screen that articulates a wide range of expressions and an increased speaker volume to ensure its voice is clear across different environmental settings and user demographics.

A standout feature of this new Romi is its advanced visual capabilities. By expanding the camera's sensor size and lens angle, Romi can engage in multi-modal communication. This allows for shared experiences, creating a more integrated way for users to interact with their environment and the robot simultaneously.

Additionally, Romi is equipped with long-term memory, enabling it to retain dialogue over time. This means that past conversations can influence future interactions, fostering a natural and organic flow in communication that mirrors human relationships. By remembering and referencing previous exchanges, Romi aims to strengthen emotional bonds with its owners.

Design Evaluation Criteria

Romi employs deep learning algorithms and sophisticated Japanese conversational data, establishing it as a second-generation home communication robot focused on dialogue. Its advanced memory system delivers ongoing conversation, providing users with reassurance and positivity. The enhanced expression capabilities and acoustics create a richer interaction, thereby nurturing a more profound relationship between robot and human. Such traits can address social challenges, particularly in daily mental well-being, hinting at a future where companionship robots exist harmoniously within household settings.

Exhibition at the Good Design Exhibition 2025

Romi (Lacatan Model) will be showcased at the upcoming Good Design Exhibition 2025, where all award recipients will be presented. This exhibition will take place from November 1 to November 5, 2025, at Tokyo Midtown in Minato, Tokyo.

Product Overview of Romi (Lacatan Model)

• - Product Name: Conversation AI Robot Romi (Lacatan Model)
• - Availability: Sold in various electronics retail chains and Romi's official store
• - General Release Date: July 25, 2025
• - Price: ¥89,800 (Tax included ¥98,780)
• - Monthly Subscription Fee: ¥1,780 (Tax included ¥1,958) or ¥17,800/year (Tax included ¥19,580, annual discount)
• - Colors Available: Natural White, Sakura Pink, Sky Blue, Moon Gray
• - Display: 2.4 inches
• - Maximum Operating Time: Approximately 180 minutes
• - Awards: Honoree in Robotics Category, CES Innovation Awards® 2025

About the Good Design Award

The Good Design Award, organized by the Japan Design Promotion Association, promotes the enhancement of living standards and societal improvements through design. Its standards embody the evaluation and recognition of that which contributes towards individuals achieving their ideals.

About Romi

Romi is a palm-sized communication robot focused on conversation. Unlike conventional robots with pre-programmed responses, Romi generates dialogue through its proprietary AI, enabling users to engage in fun and natural conversations. It possesses non-verbal communication capabilities, showcasing delightful expressions and responsive actions—like joy when patted or surprise when hugged. This unique blend of features makes Romi an exceptional companion, offering emotional support and a novel way of interacting distinct from family or friends.

To explore more about Romi's new functionalities, visit the official website here.

About MIXI

MIXI is dedicated to expanding rich communication and fostering a world filled with delightful surprises. With services like mixi and Monster Strike, we create spaces where users can connect and communicate deeply. We are committed to ensuring that connections transcend basic interaction, building emotional bonds and enhancing the quality of communication within society.