We're a few years away from physical home robots becoming a reality. But that doesn't mean we can't have a virtual robot automating our homes and forming a companion of sorts.

Gatebox aims to fill that role by offering a virtual home robot in the form of a projected 3D character living inside a glass tube.

The Gatebox ia a projection tube within which a character is projected who can partake in conversations and be hooked up to your home network in order to automate certain tasks such as turning lights on or off, or demanding your robot vacuum cleans the floor.

The introductory video demonstrates how Gatebox works:

If you hadn't guessed already, Gatebox is a Japanese creation with the character taking on an anime look. Her name is Azuma Hikari, and she even has her own website. She's also classed as the "first character" with a distinct personality, two voices, hobbies, likes/dislikes, and even a dream. So it seems likely Gatebox will gain the option of more characters to interact with in the future.

Interaction is done through voice chat in person, with a camera mounted at the top of the tube ensuring Azuma is always able to look at the person she's conversing with. When away from home, an iOS or Android Gatebox app can be used to continue chatting with Azuma, or to get her to do things in time for your return.

The Gatebox unit measures 22 by 36 by 52cm and weighs 5 kilograms. The projector has a resolution of 1280 by 720, and there's stereo speakers through which the character converses (a headphone jack is also available for a more private listening experience). The array of embedded sensors includes a camera, microphone, motion sensor, warmth and moisture sensors, luminance sensor, and touch buttons. At launch, Japanese will be the primary language supported.

The Gatebox is priced at 298,000 yen, which is roughly $2,600. That's not really surprising considering what's being offered. What's more surprising is the time you'll have to wait to have it delivered. The Gatebox isn't set to launch until December 2017. A US pre-order page is available, meaning an English language version is in the works, but the price to get one shipped over rises to $3,000 including shipping.

It's easy to view this as creepy, especially when Azuma holds up a sign on her website that says "Master Now Wanted." However, an increasing number of people live alone, and if the Gatebox offers some companionship and help around the home, it could prove both useful and a valuable point of interaction for people who are otherwise secluded.

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