Musical Robot "PONKEY" Wins Grand Prix at FFF Tokyo Demo Day
株式会社DOT P's solenoid-driven musical robot, "PONKEY," won the Grand Prix at the FFF Tokyo Demo Day pitch event held on March 28, 2026. This innovative instrument, capable of acting as a drum machine or synthesizer and interacting with AI, was developed through an incubation program focused on prototyping.
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Musical Robot "PONKEY" Wins Grand Prix at FFF Tokyo Demo Day
"PONKEY," a solenoid-driven musical robot developed by DOT P Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaharu Kanai), won the Grand Prix at the pitch session of "FFF Tokyo Demo Day" held on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
■ About FFF Tokyo Demo Day
FFF Tokyo (Fabrication Factory Founding Tokyo) is an incubation program specializing in prototyping in the design, product, and architecture fields. It is operated by At Kamata Inc. as a collaborative project of Tokyo's startup support initiative "TOKYO SUTEAM," with Icoma Inc. and Keikyu Corporation participating as collaborating partners.
At the Demo Day, selected projects that participated in the one-year program presented their results. The judging panel consisted of all program mentors with diverse backgrounds, including designers, buyers, advertising agencies, engineers, entrepreneurs, crowdfunding operators, and art directors.
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Venue: TiB (Tokyo Innovation Base) 2F STAGE (3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)
■ What is PONKEY?
PONKEY is a musical robot equipped with 16 custom-designed solenoid keys. When a key is pressed, it lights up, makes a sound, and pops out with a "pon." It can be played as a step-sequencer type drum machine or as a digital synthesizer.
Furthermore, by linking with a dedicated application, it also functions as a device for AI to perform music. PONKEY is an instrument for humans and AI to engage in non-verbal communication through the physical movement of keys.
"A musical robot for everyone—adults, children, and AI."
■ Exhibition Record at SXSW 2026
PONKEY made its world premiere exhibition in March of this year at "SXSW 2026" held in Austin, Texas, USA. In addition to being exhibited at the Icoma Inc. "ICOMA TOYBOX" booth (Fairmont Hotel Manchester Ballroom, Section 122 / within the STATION Ai booth), PONKEY performed at various venues, bars, and streets throughout the city during SXSW.
■ Future Developments
PONKEY aims for a public release in 2027, and product development is proceeding. We will accelerate efforts towards social implementation by leveraging the knowledge and network gained at FFF Tokyo.
Official Website: https://ponkey.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponkey_jp/
■ Company Profile
(Company profile information is not provided in the text, but it is stated at the beginning: "DOT P Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaharu Kanai)")
"PONKEY," a solenoid-driven musical robot developed by DOT P Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaharu Kanai), won the Grand Prix at the pitch session of "FFF Tokyo Demo Day" held on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
■ About FFF Tokyo Demo Day
FFF Tokyo (Fabrication Factory Founding Tokyo) is an incubation program specializing in prototyping in the design, product, and architecture fields. It is operated by At Kamata Inc. as a collaborative project of Tokyo's startup support initiative "TOKYO SUTEAM," with Icoma Inc. and Keikyu Corporation participating as collaborating partners.
At the Demo Day, selected projects that participated in the one-year program presented their results. The judging panel consisted of all program mentors with diverse backgrounds, including designers, buyers, advertising agencies, engineers, entrepreneurs, crowdfunding operators, and art directors.
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Venue: TiB (Tokyo Innovation Base) 2F STAGE (3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)
■ What is PONKEY?
PONKEY is a musical robot equipped with 16 custom-designed solenoid keys. When a key is pressed, it lights up, makes a sound, and pops out with a "pon." It can be played as a step-sequencer type drum machine or as a digital synthesizer.
Furthermore, by linking with a dedicated application, it also functions as a device for AI to perform music. PONKEY is an instrument for humans and AI to engage in non-verbal communication through the physical movement of keys.
"A musical robot for everyone—adults, children, and AI."
■ Exhibition Record at SXSW 2026
PONKEY made its world premiere exhibition in March of this year at "SXSW 2026" held in Austin, Texas, USA. In addition to being exhibited at the Icoma Inc. "ICOMA TOYBOX" booth (Fairmont Hotel Manchester Ballroom, Section 122 / within the STATION Ai booth), PONKEY performed at various venues, bars, and streets throughout the city during SXSW.
■ Future Developments
PONKEY aims for a public release in 2027, and product development is proceeding. We will accelerate efforts towards social implementation by leveraging the knowledge and network gained at FFF Tokyo.
Official Website: https://ponkey.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponkey_jp/
■ Company Profile
(Company profile information is not provided in the text, but it is stated at the beginning: "DOT P Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaharu Kanai)")