Amazon with its Echo and Google with your Home they are in a fight in a very special face to face. They are the only two companies that have a product like virtual assistant for home, which is capable of dealing with the most basic tasks that we perform throughout the day with our smartphone. His virtue is having a voice of great empathy that leads us to be in a rather curious relationship.
But it cannot be comparable to the one offered by Azuma Hikari, the holographic character that lives inside Gatebox, the Japanese answer to Amazon Echo and Google Home. In the video presentation, one can get an idea of what Hikari is and how the protagonist, a bit sad and lonely (that's the life of many Japanese people), interacts in the day so that she herself welcomes him when go back home.
Instead of a simple, cylindrical device, like the two from Amazon and Google, Gatebox features one with a screen and a projector, which brings Hikari to life. On the outside are the microphones, cameras and sensors to detect temperature and movement, so that she can interact on a more personal level.
The result is an interactive virtual girl that helps us control the smartest home equipment we have. The sensors can recognize your face and voice, and it's designed to wake you up in the morning, assist you throughout the day with activities, remind you of things to do, and even welcome you home after a long and hard day.
Gatebox has a permanent connection to the Internet and Bluetooth, and can even be linked to a television via the HDMI connection. Hikari understands quite a few things, although at the moment her language skills are growing. Sometime, will be able to hold conversations natural, but right now you have to communicate with her through messages through an app. This application is compatible with Android and iOS.
Azuma Hikari is a 20-year-old character who has been created by Taro Minoboshi, known for working on video game series for Konami with a romantic tone. She has been given a curious story in which she dreams of being a hero herself, loves donuts and watching anime.
At the moment, there is only one character available, but more will come. The Gatebox is already in pre-sale at a price of $ 2.300 each and with a limited production of 300 units.