Ropet from China Causes Huge Buzz in Various Countries; Japan's First "LOVOT" Rip-Off Allegations Emerge
2025.09.21 Shinya Yamahara
The companion robot "Ropet" originating from China is unexpectedly gaining popularity in Japan. It broke through 27 million yen in crowdfunding within just one hour of launch. Its cute appearance, low price, and design focused on "healing" have captured the interest of many people.
On the other hand, discussions have arisen questioning whether it is too similar to Japan's family-oriented robot "LOVOT."
The Buzz Surrounding Ropet
Starting with its pre-sale on Makuake, Ropet quickly captured the hearts of Japanese consumers in a short period. SNS is filled with comments like "LOVOT is too expensive, but this is affordable" and "I want this as a healing gadget." It positions itself as an "easy partner in daily life."
Ropet's appeal isn't just its cute looks. Equipped with sensors and an AI engine, it recognizes users' emotions and responds accordingly. Designed to develop individuality through daily interactions, it aims to be more than a mere ornament or toy—blending into everyday life.
The Momentum Behind Its Rapid Growth
This success is no accident. Ropet expanded its market step-by-step through U.S. crowdfunding and trade shows. Behind it are successful funding rounds and policy support in China.
As a result, the product's high completion quality, combined with a "speedy rollout strategy," is bolstering its support.
Presence on Kickstarter and CES
The first major turning point was launching on U.S. Kickstarter in December 2024, raising $400,000. Supporters commented things like "I want to buy it for healing" and "LOVOT is pricey, but this is reasonable," confirming solid demand.
In January of the following year, it exhibited at CES in Las Vegas. Its adorable design and advanced conversational abilities drew international attention, elevating Ropet from a mere crowdfunding success to a "product challenging the global market."
Explosive Popularity in Japan's Crowdfunding
Then, in August 2025, pre-sales began on Japan's Makuake, selling over 27 million yen in the first hour. This figure shows that Ropet has surpassed mere "novelty as a foreign product" and possesses genuine product appeal that makes people want it.
However, in Japan, comparisons to LOVOT are inevitable. The contrast of "similar but one-tenth the price" has been widely shared in media and SNS, making Ropet's evaluation stand out even more.
Too Similar to LOVOT? The Controversy
As Ropet's popularity spreads, in Japan, doubts like "Isn't it just a copy of LOVOT?" persistently follow. Media and SNS almost always bring up LOVOT comparisons when introducing Ropet, sparking debates.
With overlapping concepts emphasizing cuteness and healing, plus shared rounded designs, questions about "originality" are unavoidable.
What Design and Price Comparisons Reveal
LOVOT debuted in 2019 as a family robot, gaining attention for its precise movements and warm design. However, its high price has been a major barrier to widespread adoption.
Enter Ropet, with a similar appearance and concept, but at about one-tenth the price. This is likely due to simplified functions and mass-production-oriented design, but to consumers, it emphasizes the impression of "similar but cheap," sharpening the comparison.
This setup goes beyond mere product comparison, linking to concerns that "Japan's original technology and culture might be overtaken by fast-paced Chinese products."
Originality vs. Practicality: Consumer Judgment
While there are criticisms, actual consumer behavior is straightforward: "Do I want it?" and "Can I afford it?" SNS is dotted with posts like "LOVOT is cute but too expensive to buy" and "Ropet is easy to get."
In other words, for many, "affordability" trumps "whether it's a rip-off." This highlights the reality where practicality is chosen over originality.
Impact on the Japanese Market
Ropet's emergence isn't just minor news for the Japanese market—it could influence the future of the robot industry.
Healing-focused robots already have a presence in Japan, but the entry of an overseas low-price model questions the "market structure" itself.
Expanding Demand for Healing
Amid Japan's worsening low birthrate, aging population, and loneliness issues, demand for robots providing "healing" and "connection" is steadily rising. LOVOT was a pioneer, but its high price hindered widespread adoption.
Ropet has seized that gap, carving out the market with an accessible price range!
Challenges for Japan's Original Products
On the other hand, for Japanese companies that created the original LOVOT, it's a harsh situation. Products that had to be high-priced due to development costs and quality focus can't deny being pushed by cheap competitors. Ropet's case thrusts the challenge of balancing "originality" and "price competitiveness."
In Conclusion
Ropet, armed with its cute appearance and "healing" appeal, is rapidly gaining support in Japan and other markets. At the same time, persistent criticisms of "being too similar to LOVOT" linger, making it seem like speed and price are deciding the winner over originality.
This case shows market changes beyond just product quality. Consumers prioritize "affordability" over originality, and companies face the reality that originality alone isn't enough to survive. The Ropet whirlwind holds significant implications for Japan's robot industry.
Q. How does Ropet differ from LOVOT?
Ropet is a companion robot originating from China, with a price that's about one-tenth of LOVOT, making it affordable. LOVOT is from Japan and features advanced functions and precise movements, but its high price has been a barrier to widespread adoption. Both share the common goal of providing "healing."
Q. Why did Ropet gain popularity in crowdfunding?
The reasons for its popularity on Kickstarter and Makuake boil down to three overlapping factors: its cute design, low price, and "emotionally responsive functions." It particularly gained support from people who thought, "I want LOVOT, but it's too expensive," leading to large amounts raised in a short time.
Q. Does it have any impact on the Japanese market?
Ropet's emergence means intensified competition for Japan's robot industry. The success of affordable, accessible overseas products forces Japanese manufacturers to emphasize not just "originality" but also "price and rollout speed." On the flip side, the clear demand for healing-type robots presents an opportunity for market expansion.
Source: https://ai-gallery.jp/ropet-ai-robot-vs-lovot/
2025.09.21 Shinya Yamahara
The companion robot "Ropet" originating from China is unexpectedly gaining popularity in Japan. It broke through 27 million yen in crowdfunding within just one hour of launch. Its cute appearance, low price, and design focused on "healing" have captured the interest of many people.
On the other hand, discussions have arisen questioning whether it is too similar to Japan's family-oriented robot "LOVOT."
The Buzz Surrounding Ropet
Starting with its pre-sale on Makuake, Ropet quickly captured the hearts of Japanese consumers in a short period. SNS is filled with comments like "LOVOT is too expensive, but this is affordable" and "I want this as a healing gadget." It positions itself as an "easy partner in daily life."
Ropet's appeal isn't just its cute looks. Equipped with sensors and an AI engine, it recognizes users' emotions and responds accordingly. Designed to develop individuality through daily interactions, it aims to be more than a mere ornament or toy—blending into everyday life.
The Momentum Behind Its Rapid Growth
This success is no accident. Ropet expanded its market step-by-step through U.S. crowdfunding and trade shows. Behind it are successful funding rounds and policy support in China.
As a result, the product's high completion quality, combined with a "speedy rollout strategy," is bolstering its support.
Presence on Kickstarter and CES
The first major turning point was launching on U.S. Kickstarter in December 2024, raising $400,000. Supporters commented things like "I want to buy it for healing" and "LOVOT is pricey, but this is reasonable," confirming solid demand.
In January of the following year, it exhibited at CES in Las Vegas. Its adorable design and advanced conversational abilities drew international attention, elevating Ropet from a mere crowdfunding success to a "product challenging the global market."
Explosive Popularity in Japan's Crowdfunding
Then, in August 2025, pre-sales began on Japan's Makuake, selling over 27 million yen in the first hour. This figure shows that Ropet has surpassed mere "novelty as a foreign product" and possesses genuine product appeal that makes people want it.
However, in Japan, comparisons to LOVOT are inevitable. The contrast of "similar but one-tenth the price" has been widely shared in media and SNS, making Ropet's evaluation stand out even more.
Too Similar to LOVOT? The Controversy
As Ropet's popularity spreads, in Japan, doubts like "Isn't it just a copy of LOVOT?" persistently follow. Media and SNS almost always bring up LOVOT comparisons when introducing Ropet, sparking debates.
With overlapping concepts emphasizing cuteness and healing, plus shared rounded designs, questions about "originality" are unavoidable.
What Design and Price Comparisons Reveal
LOVOT debuted in 2019 as a family robot, gaining attention for its precise movements and warm design. However, its high price has been a major barrier to widespread adoption.
Enter Ropet, with a similar appearance and concept, but at about one-tenth the price. This is likely due to simplified functions and mass-production-oriented design, but to consumers, it emphasizes the impression of "similar but cheap," sharpening the comparison.
This setup goes beyond mere product comparison, linking to concerns that "Japan's original technology and culture might be overtaken by fast-paced Chinese products."
Originality vs. Practicality: Consumer Judgment
While there are criticisms, actual consumer behavior is straightforward: "Do I want it?" and "Can I afford it?" SNS is dotted with posts like "LOVOT is cute but too expensive to buy" and "Ropet is easy to get."
In other words, for many, "affordability" trumps "whether it's a rip-off." This highlights the reality where practicality is chosen over originality.
Impact on the Japanese Market
Ropet's emergence isn't just minor news for the Japanese market—it could influence the future of the robot industry.
Healing-focused robots already have a presence in Japan, but the entry of an overseas low-price model questions the "market structure" itself.
Expanding Demand for Healing
Amid Japan's worsening low birthrate, aging population, and loneliness issues, demand for robots providing "healing" and "connection" is steadily rising. LOVOT was a pioneer, but its high price hindered widespread adoption.
Ropet has seized that gap, carving out the market with an accessible price range!
Challenges for Japan's Original Products
On the other hand, for Japanese companies that created the original LOVOT, it's a harsh situation. Products that had to be high-priced due to development costs and quality focus can't deny being pushed by cheap competitors. Ropet's case thrusts the challenge of balancing "originality" and "price competitiveness."
In Conclusion
Ropet, armed with its cute appearance and "healing" appeal, is rapidly gaining support in Japan and other markets. At the same time, persistent criticisms of "being too similar to LOVOT" linger, making it seem like speed and price are deciding the winner over originality.
This case shows market changes beyond just product quality. Consumers prioritize "affordability" over originality, and companies face the reality that originality alone isn't enough to survive. The Ropet whirlwind holds significant implications for Japan's robot industry.
Q. How does Ropet differ from LOVOT?
Ropet is a companion robot originating from China, with a price that's about one-tenth of LOVOT, making it affordable. LOVOT is from Japan and features advanced functions and precise movements, but its high price has been a barrier to widespread adoption. Both share the common goal of providing "healing."
Q. Why did Ropet gain popularity in crowdfunding?
The reasons for its popularity on Kickstarter and Makuake boil down to three overlapping factors: its cute design, low price, and "emotionally responsive functions." It particularly gained support from people who thought, "I want LOVOT, but it's too expensive," leading to large amounts raised in a short time.
Q. Does it have any impact on the Japanese market?
Ropet's emergence means intensified competition for Japan's robot industry. The success of affordable, accessible overseas products forces Japanese manufacturers to emphasize not just "originality" but also "price and rollout speed." On the flip side, the clear demand for healing-type robots presents an opportunity for market expansion.
Source: https://ai-gallery.jp/ropet-ai-robot-vs-lovot/
