As Japan’s birthrate continues to fall, and its elderly get ever older, toy manufacturers have been quick to latch on to the new mature market. Last year’s Ifbot is a prime example, but despite its maker claiming the robot has the conversational ability of a 5-year-old, a price tag of 576,000 yen (2,880 pound) is enough to stretch even the most prosperous of pensioners.
Thankfully for the less affluent aged, Tomy has stepped in with its new Yumel doll. And at a cost of only 8,500 yen (42 pound), it means that potential buyers still have plenty of money left to stuff in tin boxes or squander at the local bingo hall.
Tomy’s new toy is being billed as a ‘healing’ doll, and whereas similar products are aimed at daytime use, Yumel is being touted as a nighttime companion. Project leader Osamu Kiriseko claims that, “You need to enjoy the night together if you really hope to live with a doll.â€
With this in mind, the name Yumel comes from the word ‘yume’ (dream), and it’s designed to look like a sleepy baby boy – albeit one with big and black manga-esque eyes. And to further enhance the sleepiness factor, the toy is equipped with six sensors and an IC chip, allowing the doll to accurately keep track of its owners sleeping patterns. Thus Yumel starts the day with a breezy “Good morning,†and ends it with drooping eyelids and a drowsy “Good night†after a quick pat on the chest makes it ‘fall asleep’.
This programmable sleeping schedule allows Yumel to detect how regular its owner’s sleep pattern is, and if it judges that things aren’t quite how they should be, the doll will pipe up with, “Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?†But rather more sinister is Kiriseko’s claim that, “If you lead an orderly life, Yumel will be in a good mood, singing songs or pleading with you to do something like buying him toys.â€
Like more Tomy products perchance?
Jason says
Wow, thats pretty obscure. That really reminds me of the movie A.I. The family looses a child and they’re given a cyborg to help with the coping. (of course problems ensue) I thought that was pretty far off, but leave it to Japan to suprise the hell out of me. (And that “orderly life” thing? theres something seriously wrong with that, but it is japan I guess 🙂
Jason
Dolem says
This is actually a pretty cool product for the kids. I believe that the children, especially girls, would like this healing doll very much.
Jason says
You gotta be kidding me. A doll is one thing, but this is an attempt to replace real human interaction, real emotion. There’s no substitute for that.
carol says
I would like to know where to buy one of these dolls in the us Ihave been looking and can not find where to buy one . Can any one help me
Ryo says
I don’t think it is somthing trying to replace real human interaction. If you look it was made for elderly people, even though I’m sure many other people would enjoy it. Sometimes elderly people (mostly women) have a need to hold something, but are unable to care for anything. It is the reason many end up with pets that they cannot care for. Having a doll fills that need to “hold” without the trouble of needed to keep up with feeding and cleaning. This need to hold can also be filled by visiting children but as they say fewer people in Japan are having children. I think it’s a wonderful idea to make such a great doll. I hope that they keep improving.
julie Borawski says
Where in the united states can i buy this yumel doll ,or in the vicinity of the north east?
Alex says
I love it! I want one! It is a great invention for the elderly who are lonely and nobody visits! People get lonely and it’s like a dog or cat. Old people would be able to have a pet that talks to them. Cats and dogs are better, though.
Sally says
I would also like to purchase such a doll. Where can I get one? Elderly mother would benefit from one.
Kate says
I want one of these too, if there were one that spoke English!
Bunny says
Try audiocubes.com. Item is “pricey” at $149.00.
julie borawski says
please delete my request above, for the doll ,as i’m no longer interested
julie borawski says
Second request
julie borawski says
Second request