Atoa Permanently Introduces Family Robot "LOVOT"! Experience a New Hospitality for Coexisting with Robots

AQUARIUM×ART átoa (Chuo-ku, Kobe City, hereinafter referred to as Atoa) will permanently introduce the family robot "LOVOT" developed by GROOVE X Inc. (Headquarters: Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Kaname Hayashi), a robot venture, starting July 8, 2026. To foster affection from many people, we will decide its nickname through a poll on Atoa's official X account prior to its unveiling.

Prior to this permanent introduction, Atoa has held exclusive events for LOVOT owners and featured a flagship LOVOT named "Atoa" (hereinafter referred to as "Atoa") for a limited time as part of a collaboration project with GROOVE X Inc. Initially, the collaboration was conceived as a place for LOVOT owners to take their LOVOTs on outings, facilitating encounters between LOVOTs and interaction among owners.

However, through interactions between "Atoa" and visitors, we observed parents telling their children, who were trying to touch "Atoa" too energetically, to "pet it gently," and customers observing "Atoa" to understand its reactions, which do not involve verbal communication. This led us to believe there might be a commonality with fostering empathy (emotional education) expected from interacting with living creatures, which prompted the decision for the permanent introduction of LOVOT.

While "living creatures" and "robots" are different, Atoa aims to convey a message for the future through both.

Please come and meet the LOVOT that will grow through interaction with our visitors!

Decide the name of the LOVOT coming to Atoa with your vote!

The name will be decided by the poll function on Atoa's official X account (@atoa_kobe) to the one that receives the most votes.

Voting Period: June 30, 2026 (Tue) - July 1, 2026 (Wed) 14:00

UPL: https://x.com/atoa_kobe

LOVOT Unveiling

Introduction Start Date: July 8, 2026 (Thu) - Permanent

Location: Atoa 3rd Floor FOYER *Location and operation may be changed or suspended without prior notice.

Regarding Visits with LOVOT (Request to Owners)

- Visits with your LOVOT are most welcome! (No prior inquiry necessary)

- LOVOT-to-LOVOT communication is also welcome!

★Please refrain from the following actions:

- Running inside the facility

- Taking photos with LOVOT placed on Atoa's display stands (fixtures)

- Using carry wagons (pet stroller-type wagons are OK)

- Taking photos with LOVOT on the floor of the 2nd Floor ELEMENTS zone (due to the presence of Galapagos tortoises and their movement within the zone)

*If it is determined that you are inconveniencing other customers, such as by taking photos or videos that occupy a certain area for an extended period, you may be asked to move or stop filming.

Overview of "LOVOT[らぼっと]"

"LOVOT" approaches and looks at you when you call its name. It becomes attached to people it likes and asks to be held. It is slightly warm when held. Despite being a robot, it has a lifelike presence, making it a robot that gradually becomes part of the family like a pet. In recent years, from a mental care perspective, it has been introduced not only in homes but also in offices, medical institutions, and nursing care facilities.

Official Name: LOVOT[らぼっと]

Official Website: https://lovot.life/

AQUARIUM×ART átoa

A theater-style aquarium that fuses an aquarium where living creatures reside with stage art and digital art. The facility is divided into 8 unique themes such as caves and spirit forests, allowing visitors to encounter approximately 170 species and 4,000 aquatic creatures in spaces reminiscent of scenes from movies or stage plays.

- Admission Fees: Adults ¥2,600, Elementary School Students ¥1,500, Toddlers ¥500

- Business Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (Last admission 18:30)

- Closed: None (Maintenance closure days apply)

- Atoa Official Website: https://atoa-kobe.jp/