CrunchGear visits top robot store Vstone in Akihabara (photo report)

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

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We’ve covered robots from Japan-based robot developer and retail store Vstone a few times in the past. Reason enough for me (I live in Japan) to go and have a good look at Vstone’s flagship store in Akihabara, Tokyo’s electronic district, and make a few pics (the company itself is headquartered in Osaka).

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The so-called VStone Robot Center is a mild disappointment though. It’s located in the heart of Akihabara, but it’s very small (probably somewhere between 80-100sqm).

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There are quite a few robots, but not really as many as you’d expect from a “robot center”. And some of those robots aren’t even for sale. What you can see on the picture above is the Cam Baby, a really ugly mini robot.

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What should be a dream for robot fans out there is the number of robot-related accessories. I didn’t even understand what most of the hundreds and hundreds of robot-related parts and components were good for.

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Vstone also offered their very own Tetsujin 28 and Black OX robots (see picture below).
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It’s not a robot paradise, but if you’re are a robot fanatic, you should check this place out. Vstone has a decent English page with a map.

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