Robots serve customers with generated AI and dancing! Ecute Akihabara’s robot cast “ugo Pro” will liven up “Ecute the Curry Fest”!

JR East Cross Station Development Company, Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Company president: Yoshiaki Shirata) is using the robot "ugo Pro," developed by ugo Inc. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ken Matsui), a developer of business DX robots, as the first customer service and guidance robot in a commercial facility, at the station commercial facility "Ecute Akihabara." To liven up the summer menu fair "Ecute the Curry Fest," which will be held at three buildings including Ecute Akihabara from today, August 18th (Monday) to September 15th (Monday, holiday), ugo Pro will welcome customers in Indian-style attire and dance, and will also recommend menu items using generative AI and talk about curry.

"Ecute Akihabara" aims to be a next-generation commercial facility that will enable customers to shop more comfortably, freely and enjoyably, while also alleviating labor shortages by introducing the latest technology, such as the employment of robot casts.

Implementation details

• Event period: August 18th (Monday) to September 15th (Monday, national holiday), 10:00-21:00 each day (until 20:00 on weekends and holidays)
• Contents: 1) Menu recommendations using generative AI, 2) Answering questions about curry using generative AI, 3) Greeting guests in Indian-style attire, 4) Performing an Indian-style dance

*The Indian-style attire and dance were supervised by three staff members of Indian origin who work at ugo Inc.

About "Ecute the Curry Fest"

The Kanda area is known as a hotbed of curry, with many shops serving curry. Three locations offer delicious and appealing curry products: Ecute Akihabara, which opened on April 7, 2025; Ecute Edition Ochanomizu, which fully opened on May 14, 2025; and March Ecute Kanda Manseibashi, located on the red-brick Manseibashi Viaduct, boasting over 100 years of history. Ecute Akihabara's new products include the rare curry dorayaki!

For details, please refer to the press release issued by JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd.

(Published August 6, 2025) "For stamina during the lingering heat of summer! Curry Fair held at Ecute stores!!"

An example of the menu at Ecute Akihabara

An Instagram campaign is also being held!

About Ugo Inc.

• Company name: Ugo Co., Ltd.
• Headquarters: 1-7-8 Higashikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
• Established: February 20, 2018
• Representative Director and CEO: Ken Matsui
• Capital: 100 million yen

About JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd.

• Company name: JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd.
• Headquarters: South Gate Shinjuku Building 6F, 5-33-8 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Established: April 1, 2021 (Reiwa 3)
• President and CEO: Nishino Fuminao
• Capital: 4,101 million yen (100% subsidiary of JR East)

About Ecute Akihabara

• Facility name: Ecute Akihabara
• Development and management: JR East Cross Station Development Company Ltd.
• Opening date: April 7, 2025
• Facility location: 1-chome, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021 JR Akihabara Station, 1st floor (inside the ticket gate)
• Store area: Approximately 900 m²
• Number of stores: Approximately 24 shops (3 of which are event areas)
• Opening hours:

  (Stores inside the ticket gates) Weekdays 10:00-21:00 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00-20:00
  *Honnori-ya x Marukome Weekdays 7:00-21:00 / Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 8:00-20:00, Sobaichi Weekdays 7:00-22:00 / Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 8:00-20:00, NewDays All days 6:40-23:00, Mono All days 11:00-21:00

  (Stores inside and outside the ticket gates) Beck's Coffee Shop Weekdays 6:30-22:00 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 7:00-22:00

  (Outside the ticket gates) TOKYO Tonkotsu BASE MADE by Ippudo Weekdays 10:00-22:30 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00-22:00