Tokyo >> Takashimaya Co. this month opened a robot department at its Shinjuku store in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo — a first by a department store in Japan.

The Robotics Studio sells cutting-edge products that have evolved through the use of artificial intelligence technologies, and allows customers to touch and use them.

The operator of the department store aims to attract customers of various generations.

Among 22 products on display are:

>> The Sota robot (about $1,400)that chats with users

>> “Musio X” (about $940) that can engage in English conversation

>> Laundroid (starting at $17,700) that folds laundry.

Robots have, up until now, been sold mainly at large home appliance stores or online.

A Takashimaya official in charge of the section said, “We want to expand sales by holding hands-on events, taking advantage of our ability as a department store to create unique opportunities.”

The company plans to open another robot section at one of its Kansai stores within the next fiscal year.