High-precision location data enables conversations that are tailored to the user's behavior, fostering affection for smartphones and robots!

High-precision location data supports the artificial intelligence "EMOPA" in AQUOS smartphones and the mobile robot "ROBOHON".

Could you tell us about the overview of the service?

EMOPA, featured in Sharp Corporation 's AQUOS series of smartphones, is an artificial intelligence that speaks to you about interesting topics from a wide range of subjects, depending on the situation. For example, it can tell you the weather forecast you want to know in the morning, or trending words, by voice at home, or by displaying them on the lock screen when you're out. It can also sense changes in your surroundings, such as saying "Oh, I'm hungry" when your smartphone battery is low, or "Wow, it's bright!" when you open the curtains and it suddenly gets bright. Furthermore, if you double-tap the lock screen, it enters voice memo mode, and if you tell it a frequently forgotten appointment, such as "I need to return the DVD on my way home," it will use your location to remind you when you leave the office, saying, "You said you needed to return the DVD, is that okay?"

Furthermore, it has the ability to talk not only to smartphones but also to ROBOHON, a bipedal, humanoid mobile robot, allowing users to feel even more attached to it. ROBOHON often goes out with its owner, and it is very surprised when it is shown nearby landmarks at their destination, making this a very important function for demonstrating ROBOHON 's intelligence.

Please tell us about the features that use our data, and their advantages and effects.

EMOPA has a function that provides useful information based on location, such as telling you about local shops, events, and news in your area, as well as places you frequently visit, such as near your home, workplace, hometown, or other locations. It also recognizes the train stations you use often and tells you about delays on the lines you use, and reminds you of places you've visited before. It can also tell you how many times you've visited prefectures that you might not even remember, giving you a sense of accomplishment.

To implement these functions, address data including latitude and longitude information, as well as station data and spot data, are necessary. Since the AQUOS smartphone released in 2014, and since 2015, ROBOHON has been using location information data, including address data, from GeoTechnologies, Inc. Inc.

Please tell me about your implementation track record.

The number of users using EMOPA has reached approximately 1 million (as of 2021).

Could you tell us about the circumstances and deciding factors that led you to adopt our map products?

Since smartphones are used by users in all regions of Japan, we needed a large amount of facility information across a wide area. Therefore, we decided to use the database of GeoTechnologies, Inc., a company with a proven track record in map services. Furthermore, their support for regular data updates, which are constantly changing, was a deciding factor.

Could you tell us about your future plans?

We would like to continue using this to improve our new features and services that are tailored to user behavior.

 

[EMOPA] Click here for the official EMOPA information site.

Click here for the official ROBOHON website.

For inquiries about MapFan DB, please click here.