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Pikachu/Chopper's Ikue Ohtani Voices Tomy's Latest Talking Robot
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Voice actress Ikue Ohtani can add a robot to her list of cute character voice credits. The Pikachu and Tony Tony Chopper voice actress signed on to voice Takara Tomy's latest Omnibot, the Robi, Jr. The robot is meant for entertainment and specializes in conversations. Robi, Jr. is equipped with speech recognition, motion sensors, and simulated "emotions" displayed by its eye colors. He's petite, measuring in at just 340mm (about 13.4in) and 1kg (2.2lbs).
Ohtani provided over 1,000 phrases for the new robot, which is slated to hit store shelves in Japan on January 24 for 15,000 yen (about US$127). She previously voiced the robot's predecessor created by robotics expert and university professor Tomotaka Takahashi. The original Robi was distributed in parts through a magazine and boasted the ability to speak in 200 languages.
Source: The Asahi Shimbun
