A weather forecasting company is preparing to distribute pollen-detecting robots across the nation from Chiba Prefecture.
Weathernews Inc. spherical Pollen Robo device measures 15 centimeters in diameter and has been designed to resemble a human face. The robot detects pollen through a built-in sensor, and will be installed in about 1,000 locations nationwide.
The eye-like lights installed in the device change to one of five different colors - white, blue, yellow, red or purple - depending on the amount of pollen each robot detects. The data is automatically uploaded to the company's website and smartphone app.
This year's pollen count is expected to be higher than last year in the Kanto and Tokai regions and western Japan, according to the Chiba-based company. In the Kanto region, cedar pollen is expected to begin spreading in early February and peak around late February, while Cypress pollen is predicted to start spreading in late March.