Why Japan's Weirdest Robots Actually Make Sense

In this Startup Spotlight interview, TechCrunch's Brian Heater talks with Shunsuke Aoki, co-founder and CEO of Tokyo-based Yukai Engineering, about why the company builds simple, "cute" companion robots instead of humanoids or high-function home robots. The conversation covers real, shipped products — Qoobo (a tail-wagging cushion robot), Mirumi (a fluffy clip-on companion), AMAGAMI HAM HAM (a finger-nibbling toy), and Nékojita FuFu (a soup-cooling robot) — and explains how these deliberately simple, emotionally resonant devices are gaining traction with adults and even nursing homes. It's a good fit for "underrated" Japanese robotics since these products fly under the radar compared to flashy humanoid news.