The verified answer
As of Aug 2026, DEPLOY verifies Groove X: 2 models, 3 deployments across 2 regions, $50.5M raised. 1 source back the record.
Overview
Japanese robotics company developing the Lovot companion robot designed for emotional bonding and human comfort. Founded in 2015 by former SoftBank Robotics engineer Kaname Hayashi, Groove X is headquartered in Tokyo and employs approximately 288 staff. The Lovot robot, priced at approximately 349,000 yen (single unit), uses 50 sensors and AI to mimic emotional responses and was awarded Best Robot of CES 2019 by The Verge.
Verified record
- Verified deployments
- 3 deployments on file
- Active incidents
- None on file
Key facts
Robot
Focus
Technology
Company type
Employees
Data & sources
Web sources
1
1 source backing this record.View all →
Models (2)
View all models →Current platform
Lovot
Companion robot designed to evoke emotional bonding, fitted with approximately 50 sensors and AI to mimic emotional responses. Priced at 349,000 yen for a single unit or 598,000 yen for a pair, Lovot uses a thermal camera to locate its owner and touch sensors to encourage closeness.
Previous platform
Lovot
Groove X's Lovot is an affectionate companion robot with a warm (~37-39C) plush body and expressive eyes; AI lets it respond to hugs, follow people, and adapt to moods, focused on emotional comfort rather than functional tasks.
Groove X on the deployment map
View the global map3 verified deployments across 2 regions. Explore where Groove X's robots are operating, by place and type.
View the full Groove X deployment record →
Relationships
Current leadership (1)
- Kaname Hayashi Founder & CEOsince 2018-12-01secondary-verified
Founders (1)
- Kaname Hayashisolefounded 2018-12-01
Safety record
No incidents on record for Groove X.
Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
Full safety record: incidents, sourcing, and exposure data →
Operator customers (1)
- Groove X3 deployments
Recent coverage
Groove X in third-party press
Peer companies
- Roborock20 models
- DJI7 models
- Boston Dynamics5 models
- Robotphoenix5 models
- Earendil Robotics4 models
- AstroForge3 models
Financial state
- Reporting basis
- private_reported
- Lifecycle stage
- mature
- Counterparty risk class
- low
Each numeric field carries its own basis marker. Aggregators report a number; this surface preserves the source class so verification depth travels with the value.
Funding rounds (2)
Groove X’s 2 disclosed rounds, $51M in total, oldest to newest.
- Series A2017-12-01
$39M(reported)
Investors: Mirai Creation Fund, Innovation Network Corporation of Japan
- Seed2016-10-01
$12M(reported)
Investors: Mirai Creation Fund
Recent activity
Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.
- Record createdJun 24, 2026
Added to the verified registry
Sources (1)
Common questions
What is Groove X?
What does Groove X make?
Who competes with Groove X?
Who is the CEO of Groove X?
Where is Groove X headquartered?
How much funding has Groove X raised?
Where does Groove X operate robots?
How many robots has Groove X deployed?
Is Groove X a top robotics company?
When was Groove X founded?
Is Groove X safe?
Methodology: Verified · 1 source (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-08-05
Verification posture
Verified
Low confidence
Review state
Stable
Last reviewed 2026-08-05
Sources by quality tier
- 1
- unclassified
- Unclassified source
The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.
Methodology surface for Groove X.Peer companies
- Roborock20 models
- DJI7 models
- Boston Dynamics5 models
- Robotphoenix5 models
- Earendil Robotics4 models
- AstroForge3 models
In the press
Recent coverage mentioning Groove X from third-party publications. Automatically surfaced; not part of the verified registry record.
Japan fashion magnate Maezawa buys stake in affectionate robot venture Groove X
A fund owned by Yusaku Maezawa acquired all shares held by INCJ, taking a majority stake in Groove X. The startup previously raised 8 billion yen from government-backed funds and…
SoftBank alumni launches robot companion designed to love humans
Groove X, founded by ex-SoftBank Robotics engineer Kaname Hayashi, unveiled the Lovot companion robot priced at approximately 3100 USD with 50 sensors and AI emotional responses.
GROOVE X company history and mission
Groove X company overview detailing the founding in November 2015, 1.4 billion yen seed round in 2016, 4.35 billion yen Series A in 2017, and Lovot unveiling in December 2018.
Machine-readable surfaces
- Markdown mirror: /companies/groove-x.md
- RSS feed: /companies/groove-x/feed.xml
- JSON-LD: embedded in this page’s head
- REST API: /v1/companies/5379b1cb-f673-484e-bb05-5b057fcc841e
- Revision history: /companies/groove-x/history
- Data documentation: /data
- Query this programmatically: Deploy MCP
Peer companies
- Roborock20 models
- DJI7 models
- Boston Dynamics5 models
- Robotphoenix5 models
- Earendil Robotics4 models
- AstroForge3 models
Video
Some robots are designed to build cars. Others are meant to perform surgery or help astronauts in space. The Lovot, however, has a far simpler and adorable miss
A scene from the demonstration of tech venture Groove X Inc.’s Lovot, a robot whose primary function is to provide people with comfort and companionship, at the
2022年11月2日 GROOVE X創業 7 周年を迎えました。 これまでに1万体以上のLOVOTが、各家庭や職場で愛されています。 ＃だんだん家族になっていくLOVOT 2022年8月に実施した＃LOVOTウィーク 抱きしめフォトでご応募頂きましたオーナーの皆様のお写真とともに。
GROOVE X(東京都中央区)は18日、家族型ロボット「LOVOT(ラボット)」のウェブ予約受け付けを始めたと発表した。全身に埋め込んだタッチセンサーや6層のアイディスプレーなどで従来のロボットにない、豊かな感情表現を実現。 名前を呼ぶと返事をし、あとをついてくるなどペットのようなパートナー的存在による“いやし需要"
Kaname Hayashi creator of Lovot brought his amazing companion robot to our booth to talk with host Jake Roper (VSauce3) about how the integrated FLIR Lepton® he
Most EXPENSIVE Gadgets --------------------------------------------------------- Groove X Lovot Companion Robot Pet ---------
A scene from a news conference by tech venture Groove X Inc. unveiling the Lovot, a robot whose primary function is to provide people with comfort and companion
Kaname Hayashi, CEO of Groove X, discusses with Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO of ADDO AI, what we can expect from this new era of ubiquitous robotics. He also demonstr
LOVOT らぼっと GROOVE X at yodobashi kyoto 1/1 2023 2体いた 1台ほしい #lovot #lovotとの暮らし #らぼっと #らぼっとのいる生活 #groovex #ai #airobots #robot #robots #machine #japan #cu
Reality vs attention
Groove X draws attention at the 32nd percentile but verifies reality at the 55th percentile among other robots. Hype Gap -23.3, 38th widest among other robots.
Analysis
Clean safety record across 3 verified deployments. Deployment footprint remains limited relative to category peers.
Signal flags
Dimension breakdown
Verified signal
Attention (reach, not merit)
DEPLOY Intelligence scores are computed from verified registry data: confirmed deployments, disclosed funding rounds, regulatory filings, active job listings, video viewership, and press coverage. Confidence ratings reflect data availability. Scores update nightly.
DEPLOY Indices — verified vs claimed
Last computed: Aug 18, 2026