Keio University and Casio Conduct Psychological Advisory on AI Pet Robot 'Moflin'

Keio University (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kohei Itoh) and Casio Computer Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Kazuhiro Kashio) have conducted a psychological advisory session regarding 'Moflin,' an AI pet robot developed by Casio. For approximately six months starting in October 2025, the advisory academically analyzed and verified how Moflin's features influence the user experience from the perspectives of psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Professor Yuri Terasawa from the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters at Keio University participated in the advisory. Based on the developers' intent to make Moflin perceived as a specific kind of being by its owner, the advisory team engaged in multifaceted analysis and discussions regarding how Moflin's physical features (appearance, tactile feel, motion, sound, etc.) and software features (formation of response patterns, bidirectional communication, etc.) are implemented and how they potentially affect human psychology. Furthermore, they examined, based on academic knowledge, how the owner's perception and feelings toward Moflin might change if these features were modified.

The results suggest that Moflin's rounded appearance may evoke protective instincts, leading to a sense of healing, and that its warm, soft texture may provide a sense of security. Additionally, through examination of Moflin's response patterns, the study indicated that users might perceive Moflin as a more living-like entity. These features not only increase affection toward Moflin but may also lead to emotional stability, increased social self-esteem, and improved well-being for the owner. A key characteristic of Moflin is that it is perceived not merely as a pet robot, but as a being with whom one can feel a relationship and communicate.

Comments from Professor Yuri Terasawa, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters:

Through this advisory, we have analyzed and considered the psychological impact of Moflin's physical and software features on the user experience from various perspectives.

Specifically, the rounded appearance may remind users of small animals, evoking protective instincts, which may lead to reduced aggression, emotional stabilization, and a sense of healing. Underlying this, the involvement of neural pathways related to social relationships and rewards, such as oxytocin and dopamine, is assumed. We also discussed how Moflin's warm and soft texture might provide a sense of security through the parasympathetic nervous system.

Regarding software features such as response patterns, we examined how to best form attachment and the impact of response variability. We also reviewed various aspects including breathing-like movements, the ability to take it outside, behavioral changes between day and night, and a certain degree of freedom in interpreting communication.

Through these various features, I believe Moflin can be perceived as a being capable of bidirectional communication with a sense of life-like quality. I also perceive that interactions with Moflin may lead to improved social self-esteem and, ultimately, improved well-being for the owner.

The advisory was managed by the 'Ideation & Activation Unit' (Unit Head: Professor Takahiro Hoshino, Faculty of Economics) set up within the Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Director: Professor Teruo Nakatsuma, Faculty of Economics) as part of the Regional Core and Distinctive Research University Enhancement Project (J-PEAKS). The unit serves as a one-stop window for URAs to accept social and management issues from companies and match them with researchers capable of solving them through academic and interdisciplinary approaches.