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TOKYO (March 5, 2019) – Yukai Engineering Inc., a Tokyo-based robotics startup known for creating robots that bring joy to life, has announced it is teaming up with SOUNDS GOOD, a new type of music label, to offer the sounds produced during the development of Yukai’s products as the material for music. SOUNDS GOOD is a company that bridges the business and artistic worlds by identifying unique sounds associated with different products to build brands around them and making those sounds available to artists as material for music making. As one of SOUNDS GOOD’s first partners, Yukai will provide various types of sounds that were recorded while developing its tail-wagging pillow, Qoobo. Those sounds include that of a component of Qoobo coming out of a 3-D printer.
SOUNDS GOOD is a “branded audio label” co-founded by QUANTUM, a Tokyo- and Silicon Valley-based innovation company, and Otobank, a Tokyo-based audio content provider. It aims to connect artists, businesses and consumers by turning sounds that are identifiable with products into audio contents. The first round of sound providers includes such leading companies as Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., and East Japan Railway Company – both of which sound contents will be uploaded to SOUNDS GOOD’s website in weekly installments over four weeks.
Qoobo is an interactive pillow with a tail that makes realistic affectionate movements in response to the user’s stroking and touch. It is designed to provide a sense of comfort in the way animals do to those who cannot own pets, including allergy sufferers and apartment dwellers. Released in Japan and the U.S. in November and December 2018 respectively, Qoobo hit a combined 10,000 units sold in May 2019. Several of Japan’s leading musical artists serve as commentators for the audio clips and created music with the sounds.
“Thanks to SOUNDS GOOD, we are now able to share our experience of developing Qoobo with our fans in an audible manner. We are excited that SOUNDS GOOD listeners also can experience Qoobo in such a novel way,” Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki said.
About SOUNDS GOOD
SOUNDS GOOD identifies ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) sounds associated with businesses and their products. ASMR refers to human responses to auditory and visual stimuli that provide a sense of excitement and pleasure. ASMR stimulus is said to help the audience focus and is growing popular as an element in video creation. SOUNDS GOOD creates audio content with ASMR sounds for branding.