Yukai Engineering
Yukai Engineering is a Tokyo robotics company founded in 2007 by Shunsuke Aoki, known for warm, low-tech companion robots that put emotional comfort ahead of functions. Its best-known product is Qoobo, a cushion with a tail that wags in response to touch, designed as a therapeutic robot for people who cannot keep pets. Qoobo reached English-speaking audiences through a Kickstarter campaign in October 2017, and the company later launched the smaller Petit Qoobo on Indiegogo, with Qoobo cushion-shaped therapy robots launching in 2018. Yukai also makes the BOCCO family of communication robots that let family members stay connected, including BOCCO emo, which adds more emotional expressions and voice recognition. Yukai follows a philosophy of turning employees' fantasies into products. The catalogue lists Qoobo and BOCCO emo.
π‘Notable Achievement: Qoobo, a cushion with a wagging tail, met its Kickstarter goal in October 2017.
What Does Yukai Engineering Do?
Yukai Engineering of Tokyo makes emotionally comforting robots, including the tail-wagging Qoobo cushion and the BOCCO communication robots.
βGentle robots that comfort rather than work.β
Qoobo
A cushion with a tail that wags on touch.
BOCCO emo
Family communication robot with more emotion.
Founder Vision
Robots close to people's hearts.
What Can Yukai Engineering Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Comfort and communication robots.
Therapeutic Comfort
Qoobo replaces a pet's presence with a wagging tail.
Family Communication
BOCCO emo connects family members.
Yukai Engineering Robots
Showing 2 of 2 total models
Bocco Emo
By: Yukai Engineering
Launched: 2019
BOCCO emo is a companion/social robot designed to enhance family communication, particularly for members without smartphones like children or elderly relatives. It features a rounded snowman-like design with expressive "emo language" including sounds, facial lights (e.g., blushing cheeks), gestures, and head movements to convey empathyβhappy chirps for positive messages, sad whines for negative ones. Key capabilities include voice/text message relay via a companion app, hands-free voice recognition with customizable wake words, sensor integration for notifications (e.g., door opens, presence detection), and daily assistance like weather/schedule alerts or anomaly detection (e.g., unusual inactivity). It prioritizes privacy with no camera, fosters emotional bonds through learning user habits, and supports home monitoring in partnership with services like Secom. Use cases include family messaging, elderly care, and child safety notifications in indoor home environments.
Qoobo
By: Yukai Engineering
Launched: 2018
Qoobo is a companion therapy robot designed as a soft, cuddly cushion with a lifelike tail that wags in response to petting, providing emotional comfort and healing similar to pet interaction without allergies or pet-keeping restrictions. Key features include realistic tail movements powered by two motors mimicking dog/cat behaviors, soft fur-covered body for hugging, and emotional expression through tail patterns. Ideal for apartment dwellers, seniors, stressed individuals, and those unable to own pets; it promotes relaxation, reduces loneliness, and elicits smiles through simple tactile interaction, as validated in medical university studies for elderly engagement.
Yukai Engineering Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Yukai Engineering founded in Tokyo
Shunsuke Aoki founds Yukai Engineering in Tokyo to build friendly robots that get close to people's hearts.
Source: ux-xu.com
Qoobo Kickstarter campaign
Yukai Engineering meets its Kickstarter goal for Qoobo, a cushion with a wagging tail intended to provide comfort.
Source: designboom.com
Yukai Engineering Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Yukai Engineering Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- βDistinctive products with a devoted following.
- βSimple, low-cost designs.
Core Strategic Focus
Qoobo variants and BOCCO.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- β’Niche market.
- β’Small company.
Yukai Engineering vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Qoobo
- Tail cushion robot
- Casio Moflin
- AI pet robot
- Groove X Lovot
- Emotional pet robot
- KEYi Loona
- Robotic pet
Primary Use
- Qoobo
- Stress relief for office workers
- Casio Moflin
- Emotional companionship, loneliness alleviation
- Groove X Lovot
- Home companionship
- KEYi Loona
- Family companionship
Weight
- Qoobo
- 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs)
- Casio Moflin
- 0.26 kg
- Groove X Lovot
- Approximately 4.3 kg (9.4 lbs)
- KEYi Loona
- 1.1 kg (2.42 lbs)
Release Year
- Qoobo
- 2018
- Casio Moflin
- 2020
- Groove X Lovot
- 2018
- KEYi Loona
- 2022
| Strategic Dimension | Qoobo | Casio Moflin | Groove X Lovot | KEYi Loona |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Tail cushion robot | AI pet robot | Emotional pet robot | Robotic pet |
| Primary Use | Stress relief for office workers | Emotional companionship, loneliness alleviation | Home companionship | Family companionship |
| Weight | 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs) | 0.26 kg | Approximately 4.3 kg (9.4 lbs) | 1.1 kg (2.42 lbs) |
| Release Year | 2018 | 2020 | 2018 | 2022 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Yukai Engineering Headquarters
HQTokyo, Japan
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about Yukai Engineering
Yukai Engineering's BOCCO emo Bridges Family Gaps with Emotional Robotics
News about Bocco Emo
Qoobo Series Milestone Reflects Enduring Appeal
News about Qoobo
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Yukai Engineering
What is Yukai Engineering?
Yukai Engineering is a Tokyo robotics company founded in 2007 by Shunsuke Aoki that makes emotionally comforting robots such as Qoobo and BOCCO.
What is Qoobo?
Qoobo is a cushion with a tail that wags when touched, designed as a therapeutic robot to bring comfort to people who cannot own pets.
What is BOCCO emo?
BOCCO emo is a communication robot in Yukai's BOCCO family that helps family members stay connected, with more emotional expressions and voice recognition.
How did Qoobo launch?
Qoobo used a Kickstarter campaign in October 2017 and later a smaller Petit Qoobo campaign on Indiegogo for the US market.
Who founded Yukai Engineering?
Shunsuke Aoki founded Yukai Engineering in 2007 and serves as its CEO. Yukai Engineering is a Tokyo robotics company founded in 2007 by Shunsuke Aoki, known for warm, low-tech companion robots that put emotional comfort ahead of functions.
What is Petit Qoobo?
Petit Qoobo is a small cushion with a wagging tail, launched by Yukai on Indiegogo for the US market as a compact version of Qoobo.
Where is Yukai Engineering based?
Yukai Engineering is based in Tokyo, Japan. Yukai Engineering is a Tokyo robotics company founded in 2007 by Shunsuke Aoki, known for warm, low-tech companion robots that put emotional comfort ahead of functions.
What is Yukai's design approach?
Yukai develops robots that will be close to people's hearts and lives, turning its employees' ideas into products with an emphasis on emotional comfort.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Yukai Engineering datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.