Tokyo-based Flower Robotics teamed up with mobile phone magnate KDDI to produce the Polaris, an automated mobile phone/robot system designed to learn a user’s behavior and communicate relevant information via television. The Polaris uses a KDDI handset and acts as a rolling docking station that charges the phone. When a user approaches the Polaris, it opens to accept the handset, then rolls toward a contactless charger connected to the television. The device records and analyzes trends in a user’s behavior including daily travel, calls and emails sent and received, and online transactions. After collecting sufficient data, the Polaris predicts a user’s behavior and offers relevant advice and information.

The Polaris is one of several products in KDDI’s “iida” line, and is being further developed to gain autonomy. A commercial version is expected next year.