*There are precedence cases of introduction in local governments* Early detection and support of development in infancy, which the Administration for Children and Families is also focusing on, is realized by collaborating with local governments. The system includes a routine support function for children and a reporting function for surrounding adults!
- The following is content from the press release -
(Head Office: Chofu City, Tokyo; President: Atsuko Oku) announced today the release of a developmental support model of ChiCaRo, the avatar robot planned and developed by the company, for local governments.
Background of Release
Development during infancy is different for each individual, and how to understand these differences and link them to support is a major challenge for parents and supporters. In particular, as approximately 50% of parents with children aged 1-3 feel that they "do not know what to do for development" (ChiCaRo survey), it is difficult to take the first step in developmental support itself.
In the background, there are structural difficulties in "visualizing" development and "creating opportunities for support," such as "developmental conditions are difficult to see," "it is unclear where to consult," and "it is unclear what to consult in the first place. There are structural difficulties in "visualizing" development and "creating opportunities for support. In order to solve these social problems, comprehensive support is needed, including psychological support for the surrounding adults as well as support for the children themselves.
Therefore, a research team (University of Electro-Communications and Osaka University) including ChiCaRo Inc. has been working on the research and development of an environmentally adjusted developmental support system to care for children and surrounding adults.
Please refer to the "Usage Procedures" at the bottom of this page and onward to consider the introduction of the system.
Product Overview: What is ChiCaRo?
ChiCaRo" is an avatar robot developed based on the concept of "increasing the number of people who can help with child-rearing. It can be easily operated via a smartphone or tablet, and in addition to video calls through the screen, the robot itself can be moved to enjoy physical play with the infant remotely.
Designed specifically for interaction with infants and toddlers, its construction is safe and sturdy, making it the world's only robotic communication device that can be used with peace of mind. After 10 years of development, it has been used in more than 200 homes and 30 facilities, and its compatibility and safety with infants and toddlers have been proven.
New functions: "Promotional Play" and "Try & Play Report" to "visualize" children's development.
This new product adds two innovative new features to ChiCaRo.
(1) "Promotional play" function to promote development
The system is equipped with approximately 300 types of games that support children's development, and each is linked to a developmental area such as language comprehension, visual perception, and motor skills. Play activities are automatically recorded, and the system selects and suggests activities that are appropriate for the level and content of the child's development.
It is possible to propose individually optimized play that responds to the concerns of parents and supporters, such as "I don't know what kind of play is right for this child.
(2) "Try & Play Report" to visualize developmental characteristics
Based on play implementation data, the trends and characteristics of children's development are output in an easy-to-understand report format for parents and caregivers.
The reports are accompanied by cute animal characters and friendly comments, making them easy to understand intuitively even if the content is technical, and providing an opportunity to view the child's personality in a positive light.
Continuous use of the system will help to identify trends in developmental strengths and weaknesses, which will lead to early delivery of necessary support.
Location of use,Health and welfare centers, child and family centers, indoor children's squares, and other places where infants and toddlers gather on a daily basisWe can consult with you on such matters as the following
Prior to this release, a series of demonstration tests have been conducted in homes and daycare centers, and an example of a prior introduction to a health and welfare center in Higashi Izu-cho, Shizuoka Prefecture has already been created, raising expectations for social implementation and dissemination.
ChiCaRo to measure height and weight,A new option to easily understand your child's individualityWe will provide the following services.
By releasing a model that works with local governments, the company aims to create a world where developmental support is available to all children and the adults around them.
Expected effects of introducing ChiCaRo
It is hoped that ChiCaRo will become an icon and approach people from a state where they are not sure if they need assistance or not, so that the necessary assistance can be delivered to those who need it.
- Effect 1: ChiCaRo as an icon,Increase facility utilization
- Effect 2: By getting parents interested in their child's development,Spontaneous consultation opportunitiesCreation of
- Effect 3: For individual childrenuninterrupted supportProvision of (continuous observation of)
Voices of the People Involved
Kasumi Abe, Project Assistant Professor, Advanced Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, The University of Electro-Communications
This system adopts an approach that encourages development through enjoyable communication with children who are difficult to determine if they need developmental support. The greatest feature of this system is that it can approach "all children" without assuming a diagnosis, and thus seamlessly take them from the stage of noticing developmental delays to support. I myself have struggled with childcare. I have experienced firsthand how difficult and anxious it is for parents to be in a limbo situation where they are concerned about their child's condition, but they are not sure whether it is a developmental consultation or a childcare consultation, and there is no one to turn to for support. I hope that this system will be a catalyst to open up a better future for both children and their parents.
Naho Morigaki, Speech-Language Pathologist, Kids Support Design, Inc.
Children grow by finding "tasks that can be done with a little effort" and challenging themselves, and accumulating "I did it! They are growing up by finding challenges that they can do with a little bit of effort and accumulating "I did it! It would be ideal if children could naturally seek out these "challenges that can be done with a little effort" at home, in the park, or at the playground. On the other hand, in today's society, it is difficult to have places and time to have this kind of opportunity. By using this program, children can experience "tasks that can be done with a little effort" with various people and grow, and parents can have a little more time to be kinder to their children... I believe this will create such a good cycle.
Usage Procedure
- We are available for consultation during the consideration stage.
- Inquiry Form Please contact us from
*Individual product introduction and demo experience sessions are also available for consultation.
- Inquiry Form Please contact us from
- Select one of the plans described below and sign a contract (basic 1-year contract, renewed annually).
Recommended Plan
▶ First year: Establish an introduction method suited to the community while using the "Operation Trial Plan".
▶ 2nd year onward: Switch to annual contract plan and spread to local communities
service plan
Service Name: Chikaro Advance
- Operational Trial and Demonstration Plan
- The operational level can be studied while actually using the system for about 3 months with a low budget.
- ChiCaRo staff will accompany you and help you build your operation.
- We provide support for setting up the system in an actual usage environment and ensuring that the staff actually handling the system can operate it safely and with peace of mind.
- Chicaro Advanced Annual Plan
- Free use of the ChiCaRo robot and all features included with ChiCaRo for one year.
Service start date: May 1, 2025 (Thursday) *Consultations are being accepted as of this release.
Fees: Vary depending on each plan. Please inquire.
Consultation: kosodate.dx@chicaro.co.jp or Inquiry Form
About Us
Vision: Updating families and making the world happy through the power of connection
Mission: Foster a culture of remote collaborative parenting and increase the number of ways to "see" parenting.
Company name: ChiCaRo Inc.
Location: University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-8585
Business Description:
(1) Planning, development and provision of ChiCaRo, a remote collaborative parenting robot
(2) Planning, development and provision of "Kuku-chan," a chatbot AI for moms
(3) Planning, development, and provision of "Body AI" to learn how to use the body as if it were a game
Representative Director: Atsuko Oku
ChiCaRo, Inc. has been commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to conduct research and development work under the theme of "Technology Development Project on Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Evolving with People / Research and Development of Autonomous Interaction AI that Can Explain and Application to Childcare and Development Support". Under the theme of "Technology Development Project for Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Evolving with People / Research and Development of Explainable Autonomous Interaction AI and Application to Childcare and Developmental Support", we conducted joint research with Osaka University and the University of Electro-Communications.
Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Advanced Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, The University of Electro-Communications
Location: 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-8585
ChiCaRo Project URL:http://www.rlg.sys.es.osaka-u.ac.jp/chicaro/
Feature Summary