The Japanese always have a soft spot for “pet” robots: they are so kawaii, it's nice to stroke them and see their cute little faces. If you combine this factor with the ever-pressing need to take care of the plants (and the limited time available), I am sure that in the land of the Rising Sun they will find this UMOZ fantastic.
The robot crab that takes care of plants (and mood)
UMOZ is a sort of little robot “spider” developed by Panasonic. She has a nice shape: her body covered with moss makes her a cross between a bonsai plant and a crab of those seen in video games.
What is UMOZ used for? In short, to interact with humans and help them keep the green spaces in their home or workplace fit.
How does? With its humidity and light sensors it moves by itself as the environmental conditions change, and like a police dog it comes to warn when one of the plants in your home or office needs care. When there is enough sun and the humidity is right, UMOZ steps aside by itself and practically becomes an ornament (or a pet "animal").
A moss-covered guardian
Do you find it strange? Me too. And it's not his 6 paws that help him move, that's stuff I've seen elsewhere. The concept of a "botanical" robot has also been explored: I have seen a similar device planting seeds to make the desert green, eg. Or a robot-pot called Hexa, which houses the plants directly on its back and he goes looking for the sun on his own.
This, however, is the first to have a "home" appeal that could make it a mass product. Take a look at the video and you will understand why.
In summary, this moss covered crab is an ingenious device and can do its part to help users care for their plants with little effort. The embryo of a whole series of micro "facilitators" that perhaps we will one day find in our homes (both in physical and simply digital form).
