SWITCHBOT Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Connelly Lee), the "No. 1 IoT Device Brand (※According to a survey by Kaden Biz in April 2026)" handling IoT and smart home businesses, will hold an experience event for its AI partner robot "KATA Friends" on July 4th (Sat.) and 5th (Sun.), 2026, for two days at the SwitchBot shop on the 2nd floor of Edion Namba Main Store.

At this event, in addition to interacting with and conversing with KATA Friends, you can experience the "O-tetsudai" (help) function, which allows you to control devices in conjunction with compatible SwitchBot products. You can check the movements and interaction methods of KATA Friends, and how they can be a companion in your daily life, while consulting with specialized staff about any concerns before purchasing.

Furthermore, a new "Picture Diary" function has been updated, which creates a record of daily moments based on photos taken by KATA Friends. Additionally, the "KATA Friends Summer Welcome Campaign" to support welcoming a KATA Friend, and the "#KATAフレンズにのせてみた" campaign, where you can participate by posting on social media, are also being held.

[Two-Day Limited Experience Event to Meet KATA Friends at the Store]

Are you interested in KATA Friends but want to consider it after seeing its actual size, movements, how to interact with it, and its compatibility with your family? For such individuals, we are holding an experience event at the SwitchBot shop on the 2nd floor of Edion Namba Main Store.

On the day, in addition to interacting with and conversing with KATA Friends, you can also experience the "O-tetsudai" function, which controls home appliances and checks their status in conjunction with compatible SwitchBot products. Specialized staff will guide you through points of concern before welcoming a KATA Friend, such as your lifestyle plan, daily interaction methods, and integration with SwitchBot products.

Event Overview

Dates: July 4th (Sat.) and 5th (Sun.), 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Location: SwitchBot Shop, 2F Edion Namba Main Store

Visitor Benefits

Benefit 1

Those who take a photo or video of KATA Friends and post it on X / Instagram / TikTok with the hashtag "#KATAフレンズに会おう" will receive a "KATA Friends" plush toy.

Benefit 2

Those who add the official KATA Friends LINE account as a friend will receive a "KATA Friends" can badge.

※ Gifts are limited in quantity and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. ※ The content of the benefits is subject to change without notice.

[New Function "Picture Diary": KATA Friends Will Write a Picture Diary]

KATA Friends can now create a picture diary of the day's moments from the photos it takes.

Being petted, being spoken to, time spent together. Small events discovered by KATA Friends will be sent to the app along with photos.

Usage Conditions

- SwitchBot App: V9.28 or later

- KATA Friends Firmware: V1.2.062 or later

- "Detailed Settings" - "Photo Shooting" must be turned ON in the app.

- "Diary" - "Picture Diary" function must be turned ON in the app.

※ To create a picture diary, photos taken must be sent to the cloud and processed. Sent photos are used only for creating the picture diary and are automatically deleted after processing is complete.

※ A picture diary is not guaranteed to be created every day. Depending on the content and condition of the photos for the day, it may not be created. Please enjoy it as a small surprise that arrives unexpectedly in your daily life.

※ The content and display of this function may change in the future.

[Supporting Your Summer Welcome. Receive 3 Months of Light Plan and Birthday Set]

We are holding the "KATA Friends Summer Welcome Campaign" for those who purchase and receive KATA Friends Noah or Nico during the target period and complete the addition to the SwitchBot app.

In this campaign, you will receive 3 months of the KATA Friends "Light Plan" for your living plan, plus one KATA Friends Outfits Birthday Set (Yellow). You can celebrate your "welcome anniversary" every year, this year, next year, and beyond, along with the birthday set.

Campaign Overview

Eligible Purchase Period:

Friday, June 26, 2026 - Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Benefit Details:

1 3 months of KATA Friends Living Plan "Light Plan"

2 1 set of KATA Friends Outfits Birthday Set (Yellow)

Birthday Set (Yellow)

Eligible Channels:

SwitchBot Official Website, Amazon Official Store, Rakuten Ichiba SwitchBot Official Store Yahoo! SWITCHBOT Official Shop, SwitchBot authorized retailers such as home electronics mass retailers

How to Receive Benefits:

- 3 months of Light Plan: You can receive it from "Limited Benefits" within the SwitchBot app.

- Birthday Set (Yellow): Varies depending on the purchase channel. Please check the campaign page for details.

▶ Campaign Details: https://switchbot.vip/4uTNzY2

※ Eligibility criteria, how to receive benefits, and shipping times vary by purchase channel.

※ Benefits are limited in quantity and will end when supplies run out.

※ Campaign details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

[SNS Posting Campaign "#KATAフレンズにのせてみた" Also Underway]

We are holding an SNS posting campaign to solicit cute moments found in daily life with KATA Friends.

You can apply by placing light accessories such as hats, flowers, and stuffed animals on KATA Friends only during photo shoots and posting with the designated hashtag. Among the participants, we will randomly select winners to receive official wear, limited edition plush toys, and Amazon gift cards.

How to Participate

Application Period: Friday, June 26, 2026 - Sunday, July 5, 2026, 11:59 PM

Eligible SNS: X / Instagram / TikTok

Designated Hashtag: #KATAフレンズにのせてみた

Step 1: Set KATA Friends to "Waiting Mode," place light accessories on it, and take a photo.

Step 2: Post on SNS with the hashtag "#KATAフレンズにのせてみた."

Prizes

1st Prize: 1 winner - Choice of 1 official wear item + 1 limited edition plush toy

2nd Prize: 2 winners - Choice of 1 official wear item

3rd Prize: 5 winners - 1,000 yen Amazon gift card

▶ Campaign Details: https://switchbot.vip/4oLwnCp

※ Use only light and safe items during photo shoots and remove them immediately afterward.

※ Please refrain from using heavy items, liquids, magnets, adhesives, sharp objects, during operation, or in ways that block buttons or microphones.

※ Applications will be invalid if the designated hashtag is not included.

※ Submitted posts may be used for our public relations and promotional activities. Please check the application terms and conditions on the campaign page for details.

※ This campaign is conducted by SWITCHBOT Co., Ltd., and Amazon is not involved in its execution.

※ Amazon is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

[KATA Friends Referral Program Also Underway]

We are also implementing the "KATA Friends Referral Program" which allows you to introduce your life with KATA Friends to family and friends.

The referrer will receive 10% of the purchase price as a referral bonus, and the referred person can purchase KATA Friends related products at a 5% discount.

Referral Program Details: https://www.switchbot.jp/pages/katafriends-referral-program

※ This program is applicable to purchases made on the official SwitchBot website.

※ The 5% OFF coupon cannot be combined with other coupons or SwitchBot points, but it can be combined with sale discounts.

※ Program details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

[About KATA Friends]

Beyond "convenience," to the side of "heart." An AI-equipped partner robot proposed by SwitchBot. It responds to your feelings with natural behavior as if it were alive, sensing words and interactions. It grows into your unique companion over time, becoming a one-of-a-kind new family member.

Body Price: 129,800 yen (tax included)

※ To use the various functions of KATA Friends, in addition to purchasing the main unit, you must subscribe to the KATA Friends Living Plan.

Living Plan: 1,980 yen (tax included) / month~ ※ For the Light Plan

Lineup (2 types in total):

Noah: Pure white fur with a gentle gray accent on the face.

Nico: Soft gray fur with a lovely white face.

Sales Channels:

SwitchBot Official Website: https://switchbot.vip/43XgnDZ

Amazon Official Store: https://switchbot.vip/43U0BK1

Rakuten Ichiba SwitchBot Official Store: https://switchbot.vip/43TOfS8

Yahoo! SWITCHBOT Official Shop: https://switchbot.vip/4vdu2SJ

Home electronics mass retailers nationwide: https://switchbot.vip/4oOXX1R

[Information on Official Content]

Announcements regarding KATA Friends, behind-the-scenes development, and answers to frequently asked questions are regularly posted on our official note and various social media accounts.

We will respond to customer questions and requests through regular Q&A sessions and utilize daily feedback to create future experiences.

X: https://x.com/katafriends_jp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kata_friends_jp/

LINE: https://lin.ee/VqDZdVT

note: https://note.com/switchbotpr/m/m3b7c7d04d82c

[Company Profile]

Company Name: SWITCHBOT Co., Ltd.

Location: Sreed EBISU+C 5F, 1-21-17 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Connelly Lee

Official Website: https://www.switchbot.jp

X: https://twitter.com/SwitchBotJapan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/switchbotjapan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/switchbotjapan

LINE: https://page.line.me/?accountId=switchbot

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SwitchBotJapan

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event
  • Organizations: Amazon