Described as a small, pink companion, Meebo has become the world's first robot school monitor. Meebo can take pictures, dance and can currently be rented out for free by Japanese schools.
Schools can rent Meebo for free because of a unique business model by creators UniFa. The service, called "Rukumi" allows kindergartens and nurseries to use the Meebo to take pictures and upload them to be purchased online. The profits are then collected by UniFa.
UniFa is attempting to send out as many Meebos to various kindergartens and nurseries throughout Japan. Although the current functions for Meebo are limited, there is a concerted effort to increase its capabilities to include measuring body temperature and giving quizzes. By 2018, UniFa hopes to have produced 10,000 Meebo robots.
Classroom Photography Robots
The 'Meebo' Robot Acts as a Robot School Monitor in Japan
Trend Themes
1. Robot Companions in Education - The introduction of Meebo as a robot school monitor highlights a trend towards using robots as companions in educational settings, providing potential opportunities for further development and customization.
2. Photography Automation - The use of Meebo to take pictures in schools demonstrates the trend of automation in photography, offering possibilities for streamlining and enhancing photography processes in various industries.
3. Expanding Capabilities of Educational Robots - The effort to increase Meebo's functionalities, such as measuring body temperature and giving quizzes, reflects the trend of expanding the capabilities of educational robots, presenting opportunities for innovative applications in the education sector.
Industry Implications
1. Education - The introduction of school monitor robots like Meebo opens up opportunities for innovative applications of robotics and automation in classrooms and educational institutions.
2. Photography - The automation of photography through robots like Meebo presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the photography industry, streamlining processes and potentially introducing new functionalities.
3. Robotics - The development of Meebo and other educational robots points to the potential for disruptive innovations in the robotics industry, specifically tailored for educational settings and institutions.