A Decade of Walking-Speed Robots: The Journey of DeliRo, RakuRo, and PATORO
ROBO-HI Corporation began developing walking-speed robots capable of traveling at speeds below 6 km/h on sidewalks and public roads in 2016, marking its 10th anniversary this year.
To commemorate this milestone, the company looks back on the journey of its three walking-speed robots—DeliRo®, RakuRo®, and PATORO®—which have evolved from innovative machines into trusted urban companions, while continuing toward the vision of making robots part of future’s social infrastructure.
The Walking-Speed Robot Family
ROBO-HI has developed three autonomous robots designed to support harmonious coexistence between humans and robots.
- DeliRo® – Autonomous delivery robot
- RakuRo® – Single-seat autonomous mobility vehicle
- PATORO® – Autonomous security patrol robot
All three models have passed the Safety Standard Certification of the Robot Delivery Association of Japan, allowing them to operate on public roads nationwide after completing the required notification procedures.
Where It All Began
The first prototypes were tested on sidewalks near ROBO-HI’s former headquarters in Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo.
Although their automobile-inspired design looked modern, many pedestrians commented that the robots felt “a little scary” or that “it was hard to tell what they were thinking.”
ROBO-HI realized that advanced autonomous driving technology alone would not be enough. To become part of everyday urban life, robots also needed to build emotional connections with people. This insight led to a complete redesign of the robots’ appearance and interaction concepts.
Designed to Be Humble, Friendly, and Lovable
1. Eye Contact That Builds Trust
Beyond avoiding pedestrians, the robots communicate their intentions through expressive eye movements.
They can detect a person’s gaze, establish eye contact, and even wink as a natural form of interaction. This technology has been patented in Japan, the United States, China, and South Korea.
The expressive eyes received enthusiastic feedback such as “Those eyes are so cute!”, demonstrating that emotional design helps reduce psychological barriers between people and robots.
2. Voice Communication for Everyone
To ensure accessibility for all users, including people with visual impairments, the robots are equipped with natural voice communication that makes them easier to recognize and interact with.
Expanding Real-World Applications
Today, the walking-speed robot family is deployed across Japan, including public-road operations in Nagoya, exhibitions at the Chuden Electricity Museum, and practical deployment at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.
Product Lineup
DeliRo® – Autonomous Delivery Robot
Safely and accurately transports goods, including Japan’s first scheduled autonomous public-road delivery demonstration across two consecutive delivery points in Aichi Prefecture.
WEB: https://www.pref.aichi.jp/press-release/25sanrobo-robotjidouhaisou.html
Video：https://youtu.be/mkOVtZgc3T0?t=125
RakuRo® – Personal Autonomous Mobility
Provides comfortable personal transportation. More than 800 visitors experienced RakuRo at E-Tokyo Festival 2024, and it has also been featured in the XR attraction NIGHT SAFARI.
「E-Tokyo Festival 2024」: https://www.robo-hi.jp/news/pressrelease_20240408
「NIGHT SAFARI」: https://www.robo-hi.jp/news/pressrelease_20250807
Video：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJWUr8SVs4s
PATORO® – Autonomous Patrol Robot
Uses AI-powered video analysis to perform unmanned security patrols, helping improve facility management efficiency and reduce labor requirements.
WEB：https://www.robo-hi.jp/news/pressrelease_20220608
Video：https://youtu.be/fthFboJvS3s
Looking Ahead
Beyond commercial deployment, ROBO-HI’s robots continue to appear at technology exhibitions and public events, allowing more people to experience autonomous mobility firsthand.
Moving forward, ROBO-HI will continue pursuing its vision of “Robots as Social Infrastructure” through ROBO-HI® OS, creating smarter cities where humans and robots work together to address labor shortages and improve everyday life.
