With the spread of COVID-19 set to continue over the long-term, issues arising from isolation and loneliness are becoming increasingly serious throughout the world. MIXI Group provides a wide range of communication services to help comfort and protect those suffering from loneliness and isolation and assist them in feeling more connected with their families.
FamilyAlbum
FamilyAlbum is a closed social media service that allows users to share their photos and videos with invited family members only. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, use of FamilyAlbum has increased rapidly, with approximately 80% of users using the app at least once per week.
FamilyAlbum has been designed so that it can be operated easily by elderly users and does not require the registration of an ID or password. In the current situation where family members are unable to meet each other, FamilyAlbum is helping to deepen family bonds by allowing users to share the activities of their children and other family members on a daily basis. Furthermore, users are able to check when family members have last viewed the album through the Visits section,
FamilyAlbum Gifts
Within FamilyAlbum, we have launched an online shopping service titled FamilyAlbum Gifts. Popular among grandparents, it provides gift recommendations in accordance with a child’s age and development. The service is being used to help deepen family relationships by allowing family members to exchange messages and upload and share photos and videos of the children enjoying the presents after they arrive.
GPS Guardian
FamilyAlbum GPS Guardian is a service that provides a compact and lightweight GPS device that parents can give their children to monitor children’s location at any time via the connected smartphone app. Utilizing the global standard global positioning system (GPS) satellites and the Japanese GPS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), the device boasts best-in-class tracking precision by harnessing the power of five different GPSs―the most ever used in a child-focused device. We are also hoping to use the device to help protect the elderly in the future.
Autonomous communication robot Romi
Differing from conventional communication robots equipped with fixed responses, Romi utilizes our cutting-edge proprietary communication AI to always keep a conversation going. Romi can be spoken with like a real human and possesses a rich range of emotional expressions created through more than 100 different types of facial and body movements. The robot can provide comfort for its owner like a pet, or understanding as if it were a real family member. Through Romi, we aim for those who live alone to feel as if they were living together with someone who is kindly watching over them.
