Agent management device and agent management method

Abstract

To ensure that product buyers sufficiently feel a sense of joy (sensation) and attachment when products are delivered.SOLUTION: An agent management device 1 includes: an agent generation unit 11 that can generate a personified agent associated with a made-to-order automobile; a characteristic setting unit 12 that determines setting values of a plurality of respective characteristic factors which are associated with the automobile and the agent and determine the agent's characteristics; an agent display unit 13 that can display an agent 21; and a communication unit 14 that outputs information to notify that a change has occurred in the agent's characteristics to the agent display unit 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agent management device and an agent management method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for transmitting information on the manufacturing process, which is an event that occurs between receiving an order for a vehicle and the delivery (shipment) of the vehicle to the orderer (purchaser), to the orderer's general-purpose communication device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-160719 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, information on the manufacturing process is merely transmitted as text information to the customer who orders the vehicle.

[0005] As a result, vehicle orderers find it difficult to grasp the process of the vehicle they ordered being transformed into its final form when it is delivered, and may not feel a sufficient sense of joy (emotion) or attachment when the vehicle is delivered.

[0006] In other words, in order to ensure that the customer feels joy (emotion) and attachment to the product when it is delivered, there is room for further improvement in the way product information is communicated to the customer up until the product is delivered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The agent management of the present invention is characterized in that it determines the setting values ​​of a plurality of characteristic factors which determine the characteristics of a personified agent associated with a made-to-order product, generates the agent based on the setting values ​​of the plurality of characteristic factors, and, when a change occurs in the agent's characteristics, notifies the user who purchased the product that the agent's characteristics have changed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the user's attachment to a purchased product during its manufacture, to increase the user's joy when the product is delivered, and to make the user feel an attachment to the product immediately after delivery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an agent management device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correlation between the progress of a car's manufacturing process and changes in the characteristics of an agent associated with the car. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an agent management device according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic overview of an agent management device 1 of the present invention.

[0012] The agent management device 1 generates a personified agent 21 and is capable of displaying the generated agent 21 (see FIG. 2 described later) to a user. The agent management device 1 generates an agent 21 that can be displayed on a predetermined display or appear in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual space. In other words, the agent 21 is visible to the user.

[0013] Here, the agent 21 is associated with a made-to-order product purchased by the user. The made-to-order product purchased by the user is, for example, an automobile. The user is also a purchaser of the made-to-order product, for example, a purchaser of an automobile. In this embodiment, an automobile will be taken as an example of the made-to-order product purchased by the user.

[0014] Furthermore, the agent management device 1 has a function of having the agent 21 converse with the user and providing various information corresponding to the user's request that is understood from the conversation between the agent 21 and the user. The various information provided to the user by the agent management device 1 is collected, for example, via a network. The questions that the agent 21 asks the user and the contents of the statements made by the agent 21 to the user may be prepared (stored) in a predetermined database in advance, may utilize AI technology, or may be a combination of these.

[0015] The agent management device 1 has an agent generation unit 11 that generates an agent 21, a characteristic setting unit 12 that determines the characteristics of the agent 21, an agent display unit 13 that can display the generated agent 21, and a communication unit 14 that can output the generated agent 21 to the agent display unit 13.

[0016] The agent management device 1 is capable of communicating with the outside world via the communication unit 14, and is capable of receiving manufacturing information (production progress information) from the manufacturing plant of the automobile purchased by the user. The agent management device 1 is capable of ordering an item that imitates an agent 21 via the communication unit 14. In addition, the agent management device 1 is capable of outputting the agent 21 generated by the agent generation unit 11 onto a predetermined metaverse via the communication unit 14.

[0017] The agent generation unit 11 generates an agent 21 associated with the car purchased by the user.

[0018] The characteristics of the agent 21 can change at least until the car purchased by the user is delivered. Here, delivery in this specification refers to the handing over of the car (product) ordered by the user to the user at the dealer (sales store). The characteristics of the agent 21 are determined according to the setting values ​​of a plurality of characteristic factors (setting items) determined by the characteristic setting unit 12. The characteristics of the agent 21 include, for example, the appearance of the agent 21, the type of language uttered by the agent 21, the content that the agent 21 proposes to the user (the content that is spoken to), etc.

[0019] The characteristic setting unit 12 determines the setting values ​​of a plurality of characteristic factors (characteristic items) that determine the characteristics of the agent 21. The characteristic factors are associated with the agent 21 and the car purchased by the user.

[0020] The characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of a corresponding characteristic factor among the plurality of characteristic factors according to the user information on the user who purchased the car and the progress of the manufacturing process of the car purchased by the user. Therefore, the characteristic of the agent 21 changes according to the user information and the progress of the manufacturing process of the car purchased by the user.

[0021] More specifically, the plurality of characteristic factors includes a characteristic factor associated with the appearance of the automobile. The characteristic factor associated with the appearance of the automobile is associated with the appearance of the agent 21. When the appearance of the automobile changes, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the appearance of the automobile, thereby changing the appearance of the agent 21.

[0022] The user information may include at least one of the following information: information about automobiles (e.g., product order details, etc.), personal information about the user (e.g., the user's gender, the user's date of birth, the user's family structure, the user's hometown, the user's current address, etc.), and information about the user's preferences (hobbies, favorite foods, etc.). The user information may also include the content of the user's responses to questions from the agent 21.

[0023] The agent display unit 13 is capable of displaying the agent 21 generated by the agent generation unit 11. The agent display unit 13 is an information device owned by the user that is capable of two-way communication. Specifically, the information device is a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook computer or a personal computer connected to the Internet, etc., and when the agent display unit 13 displays the agent 21, it is capable of providing the user with voice, text information, images (including still images and videos), etc. together. The agent display unit 13 is capable of displaying questions to the user. The user can access the agent generation unit 11 via the agent display unit 13 at any time.

[0024] When a change occurs in the characteristics of the agent 21, the communication unit 14 outputs information notifying the agent display unit 13 of the change in the characteristics of the agent 21. In other words, the agent display unit 13 is capable of notifying the user that the characteristics of the agent 21 have changed. The communication unit 14 is also capable of outputting to the agent display unit 13 predetermined questions that have been set in advance for the user at predetermined timing until the car purchased by the user is delivered.

[0025] The communication unit 14 orders a stuffed toy modeled after the agent 21 from the stuffed toy manufacturing department 15 at a predetermined timing before the car purchased by the user is delivered so that the order will arrive in time for the car to be delivered (delivered) to the user. The stuffed toy manufacturing department 15 is, for example, a factory that manufactures stuffed toys.

[0026] The communication unit 14 is capable of outputting the agent 21 generated by the agent generation unit 11 to an in-vehicle infotainment system (IVI), which is an electronic control device that is installed (on-board) in an automobile purchased by a user and can display the agent 21.

[0027] The agent generation unit 11, the property setting unit 12, and the communication unit 14 are configured, for example, in a server 16 on the cloud. Note that the agent generation unit 11, the property setting unit 12, and the communication unit 14 may be transplanted to the in-vehicle infotainment system, for example, immediately before delivery of the vehicle.

[0028] The agent management device 1 includes a plurality of characteristic factors, which are associated with the color of clothing worn by the agent 21 on the outside of the upper and lower body (e.g., outer layers such as a jacket and pants) and characteristic factors associated with the color of clothing worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body (e.g., an inner layer such as a shirt worn under a jacket).

[0029] In this case, the characteristic factor associated with the color of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the outside of the upper and lower body is associated with the color of the exterior of the automobile during the manufacturing process, and the characteristic factor associated with the color of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body is associated with the color of the interior of the automobile during the manufacturing process.

[0030] When the exterior color of the automobile changes during the manufacturing process, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the color of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the outside of the upper and lower body, thereby changing the color of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the outside of the upper and lower body.

[0031] In other words, when the outside (exterior surface) of the automobile is painted in the color specified by the user when ordering, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the outside of the upper and lower body, and changes the color of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the outside of the upper and lower body to the exterior color of the automobile specified by the user when ordering, and when the interior work on the automobile is completed, changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body, and changes the color of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body to the interior color of the automobile specified by the user when ordering.

[0032] In such an agent management device 1, as shown in Fig. 2, the characteristics of the agent 21 change as the manufacturing process of the automobile progresses. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correlation between the progress of the manufacturing process of the automobile purchased by the user and the change in the characteristics of the agent 21 associated with the automobile purchased by the user. Note that in Fig. 2, for convenience, the color of the clothes is represented by different dots.

[0033] As the manufacturing process of the car progresses, the agent 21 changes, for example, from agent 21a to agent 21b to agent 21c to agent 21d.

[0034] The agent 21a shows an initial appearance, and is displayed, for example, in monotone without coloring. The initial appearance shape of the agent 21a is determined, for example, according to the contents of the user's order. The agent 21a is wearing clothes whose design is determined, for example, according to the contents of the user's order, but is not colored, and its characteristics are not clearly expressed.

[0035] Agent 21 is displayed as Agent 21a until, for example, step S1, which is a press process, and step S2, which is an assembly process of the vehicle body by welding or the like, are completed.

[0036] Agent 21b shows the appearance at the time when step S3, which is a painting process of the vehicle body, is completed, and the clothes and tie on the outside of the upper body and lower body are the same color as the painting color of the vehicle body.

[0037] Agent 21 is displayed as Agent 21b, for example, from the end of the painting process until step S4, which is an assembly process, is completed.

[0038] Agent 21c shows the appearance at the time when the assembly process is completed, and the shirt, which is the inner clothing of the upper body, is the same color as the interior color of the passenger compartment of the automobile.

[0039] Agent 21d shows the appearance in which newly obtained user information after the completion of the assembly process is reflected. As a result of obtaining information that the user's hobby is soccer, Agent 21d has the appearance of holding a soccer ball. Note that since the timing when user information is reflected is not limited to after the completion of the assembly process, Agent 21 may have the appearance of holding a soccer ball before the completion of the assembly process.

[0040] In FIG. 2, step S5 is an inspection process, step S6 is a shipping process from the manufacturing factory that manufactures the automobile, and step S7 is a process in which the shipped automobile is delivered.

[0041] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the agent management device 1. Step S11 is a step of transmitting various manufacturing information from the factory that manufactures the automobile to the agent management device 1. In step S11, the manufacturing information of the automobile purchased by the user is acquired and transmitted to the agent management device 1.

[0042] Steps S21 to S27 are steps which indicate the operations of the agent generating unit 11, the property setting unit 12, and the communication unit 14 in the server 16. Note that steps S23 to S25 are steps which are appropriately performed while the car purchased by the user is being manufactured in the factory, and unlike steps S21, S22, S26, and S27, these steps can be performed multiple times.

[0043] In step S21, an order (order details) for a car purchased by a user is received.

[0044] In step S22, initial settings of the setting values ​​of a plurality of characteristic factors of the agent 21 are performed based on the information obtained in step S21.

[0045] In step S23, a question is sent to the user at a predetermined timing.

[0046] In step S24, the characteristics of the agent 21 are determined according to the progress of the manufacturing process and the user's answers to the questions.

[0047] In step S25, when the property of the agent 21 has changed, the user is notified that the property of the agent 21 has changed.

[0048] In step S26, the access code to the agent 21 output on the metaverse is transmitted to the user at a predetermined timing.

[0049] In step S27, an order for a stuffed toy modeled after the agent 21 is placed so that it will arrive in time for the delivery of the car purchased by the user.

[0050] Steps S31 to S34 are steps that show the operation of the agent display unit 13. In step S31, the user transmits information regarding his / her preferences to the communication unit 14. In step S32, the answer to the question in step S23 is transmitted. In step S33, the access code transmitted in step S26 is received. In step S34, the agent 21 with the latest characteristics generated according to the manufacturing process and the answer to the question is displayed. Step S34 is a step that the user can perform at any timing.

[0051] Steps S41 and S42 are steps for indicating the state of the car purchased by the user.

[0052] In step S41, the settings of the vehicle are changed in accordance with the answer from the user, etc. Specifically, in step S41, the settings of the in-vehicle infotainment system and the image of the agent 21 displayed in the in-vehicle infotainment system are changed. The characteristics of the agent 21 can be changed according to user information after delivery. The settings of the in-vehicle infotainment system are, for example, the background color and brightness of the display of the in-vehicle infotainment system. For example, if the background of the display of the smartphone used by the user is set to a dark color (dark mode), the background of the monitor of the in-vehicle infotainment system is changed to a dark color, and if the brightness of the display of the smartphone used by the user is set to a bright color, the brightness of the monitor of the in-vehicle infotainment system is set to a bright color.

[0053] In step S42, the car is delivered to the user with a stuffed toy modeled after the agent 21 sitting in the passenger seat.

[0054] The agent management device 1 described above changes the setting value of the corresponding characteristic factor of the agent 21 when, for example, a change in appearance occurs due to painting, or a change in interior color occurs due to the installation of interior accessories in the vehicle cabin.

[0055] Therefore, the agent management device 1 enables the user to know the process in which the agent 21 is customized in accordance with the progress of the automobile manufacturing process, thereby increasing the user's knowledge about the automobile under manufacturing.

[0056] As a result, the agent management device 1 can increase (foster) the user's attachment to the purchased automobile while the automobile is being manufactured, thereby increasing the joy (emotion) of the user when the automobile is delivered, and enabling the user to feel an attachment to the automobile immediately after it is delivered (taken delivery).

[0057] In the agent management device 1, the agent 21 can have an appearance that reflects the appearance (e.g., color) of the automobile by including a characteristic factor associated with the automobile's appearance among a plurality of characteristic factors. For example, if the characteristic factor associated with the automobile's appearance is associated with the color of the automobile's exterior (outer surface) specified by the user when ordering the automobile and the color of the agent 21's exterior, the color of the agent 21's exterior will reflect the color of the automobile's exterior (outer surface). In other words, the color of the agent 21's exterior will change to the color of the exterior (outer surface) of the automobile purchased by the user when the manufacturing process progresses and the automobile's exterior surface becomes (is painted) the color specified at the time of ordering.

[0058] This allows the user to get a feel for the process in which the car he or she purchased is manufactured, thereby enhancing the user's attachment to the car he or she purchased.

[0059] The agent management device 1 presents the user with an item (stuffed toy) modeled after the agent 21 at the time of delivery of the product, thereby increasing the user's attachment to the automobile that the user has purchased.

[0060] In the agent management device 1, the user information includes the user's answers, via the agent display unit 13, to questions for the user that are output from the communication unit 14 to the agent display unit 13 until the automobile (product) purchased by the user is delivered to the user.

[0061] This allows the agent management device 1 to change the characteristics of the agent 21 in accordance with the user's preferences until delivery.

[0062] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0063] For example, the multiple characteristic factors may include, for example, a characteristic factor associated with the pattern of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body. In this case, the characteristic factor associated with the pattern of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body is associated with, for example, the pattern of the inside (interior) of the automobile during the manufacturing process. When the interior construction of the automobile is completed during the manufacturing process, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the pattern of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body, and changes the pattern of the clothes worn by the agent 21 on the inside of the upper body to the pattern of the automobile interior specified when the user placed the order.

[0064] Furthermore, the items ordered in time for the delivery of the car are not limited to stuffed toys, but may be goods (goods) other than stuffed toys that resemble Agent 21.

[0065] For example, the multiple characteristic factors may include a characteristic factor associated with an optional part attached to the vehicle. In this case, the characteristic factor associated with the optional part attached to the vehicle is associated with, for example, an object attached to the agent 21. When an optional part is attached to a vehicle during the manufacturing process, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the optional part attached to the vehicle, and changes the appearance of the agent 21. When an optional part is attached to a vehicle, for example, the agent 21 changes to a state in which a predetermined ornament associated with the optional part is worn. Specifically, for example, if the optional part attached to the vehicle is a roof carrier, the agent 21 changes to a state in which the agent 21 is wearing a hat when the roof carrier is attached. The agent 21 wears ornaments (for example, a hat, etc.) as the manufacturing process of the vehicle progresses, and the external features of the vehicle purchased by the user are reflected. Therefore, the user can easily increase his / her attachment to the purchased vehicle by the agent 21. In other words, the agent management device 1 can use the agent 21 to increase the user's attachment to the vehicle when the vehicle is delivered.

[0066] In other words, by changing the agent 21 as the product manufacturing process progresses, the agent management device 1 can foster the user's expectations and attachment to the delivered automobile, thereby making the user excited about the delivery, and can also provide the user with a notice of the automobile's delivery.

[0067] For example, the plurality of characteristic factors may include a characteristic factor associated with a user's answer to a question. In this case, the characteristic factor associated with the user's answer to the question is associated with, for example, a reaction or an appearance of the agent 21. The characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the user's answer to the question based on the user's answer to the question. The agent 21 changes, for example, to have a reaction (for example, behavior, tone of voice, etc.) that reflects the user's answer to the question, or an appearance (for example, appearance such as clothes and hairstyle) that reflects the user's answer to the question.

[0068] For example, when the user's favorite food is identified as a result of the question, the agent management device 1 may display the agent 21 eating the user's favorite food on the display unit. Also, when the user's hobby is identified as a result of the question, the agent 21 may hold or wear goods related to the user's hobby.

[0069] Furthermore, the agent management device 1 may change the language (tone of speech) and movements (behavior) of the agent 21 depending on the way in which the user answers a question (for example, the language used).

[0070] For example, the multiple characteristic factors may include a characteristic factor associated with the user's personal information. In this case, the characteristic factor associated with the user's personal information is associated with, for example, a reaction or an appearance of the agent 21. The characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the user's personal information based on the user's personal information.

[0071] This enables the agent management device 1 to, for example, change the agent 21 so that its reactions (e.g., behavior and tone of voice) reflect the user's personality, or to change the agent 21 so that its appearance (e.g., appearance of clothing, hairstyle, etc.) reflects the user's personality.

[0072] For example, the plurality of characteristic factors may include characteristic factors associated with information regarding the user's preferences. In this case, the characteristic factors associated with the information regarding the user's preferences are associated with, for example, the reaction or appearance of the agent 21.

[0073] The characteristic setting unit 12 changes the set value of the characteristic factor associated with the information regarding the user's preferences based on the information regarding the user's preferences, and changes the reaction or appearance of the agent 21.

[0074] Thereby, the agent management device 1 can change the agent 21 so as to have a reaction (e.g., behavior, tone of voice, etc.) reflecting the user's preferences, change the agent 21 so as to have an appearance (e.g., appearance of clothing, hairstyle, etc.) reflecting the user's preferences, or change the content proposed (spoken to) to the user from the agent 21 so as to reflect the user's preferences.

[0075] For example, the characteristic factors associated with the user's answer to a question may include characteristic factors associated with the movement of the agent 21. In this case, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the set value of the characteristic factor associated with the movement of the agent 21 based on the answer to the question.

[0076] For example, the characteristic factors associated with the user's answer to a question may include characteristic factors associated with the tone of voice of the agent 21. In this case, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the set value of the characteristic factor associated with the tone of voice of the agent 21 based on the answer to the question.

[0077] For example, the characteristic factors associated with the user's answer to a question may include characteristic factors associated with the ornaments worn by the agent 21. In this case, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the set value of the characteristic factor associated with the ornaments worn by the agent 21 based on the answer to the question.

[0078] For example, the characteristic factor associated with the user's answer to the question may include a characteristic factor associated with an object (item) held in the hand of the agent 21. In this case, the characteristic setting unit 12 changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the object held in the hand of the agent 21 based on the answer to the question.

[0079] For example, the agent management device 1 may accumulate the user's answers to questions as user information, and as such user information accumulates, the agent 21 may have reactions (e.g., behavior, tone of voice, etc.) that reflect the user's personality and preferences, and the agent 21 may have an appearance (e.g., appearance of clothing, hairstyle, etc.) that reflects the user's personality and preferences.

[0080] For example, when the color of the roof of the car is different from the color of the body of the car, the agent management device 1 may generate the agent 21 by putting a hat on the agent 21 so that the color of the hat is the same as the roof.

[0081] For example, when a coating process is applied to the painted body of a vehicle to protect the painted surface, the agent management device 1 may be capable of making the agent 21 appear to sparkle for a certain period of time after delivery (e.g., the warranty period for the coating).

[0082] For example, the agent management device 1 may generate an agent such that the color of the shoes worn by the agent 21 is the same as the color of the wheels of the car.

[0083] The above-described embodiments relate to an agent management device and an agent management method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Agent management device 11…Agent generation section 12...Characteristics setting section 13…Agent display section 14…Communications Department 15…Plush toy manufacturing department 16…Server 21…Agent

Claims

1. an agent generating unit capable of generating a personified agent associated with a product to be manufactured on order; a characteristic setting unit that determines setting values ​​of a plurality of characteristic factors that are associated with the product and the agent and that determine characteristics of the agent; an agent display unit capable of displaying the agent generated by the agent generation unit based on each set value of the plurality of characteristic factors; a communication unit which, when a change occurs in the agent's characteristics due to a change in the set value of the characteristic factor, outputs information notifying the agent display unit that a change has occurred in the agent's characteristics; the characteristic setting unit changes the setting value in accordance with user information relating to a user who has purchased the product and a progress status of a manufacturing process of the product; The agent management device, wherein the agent display section is capable of notifying the user that a characteristic of the agent has changed.

2. 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the product is an automobile.

3. 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the user information includes at least one of information on the product, personal information on the user, and information on the user's preferences.

4. 2. An agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics of said agent include the external appearance of said agent, the type of language said agent speaks, and the content that said agent proposes to said user.

5. the plurality of characteristic factors includes a characteristic factor associated with an appearance of the product; 2. The agent management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic factor associated with the appearance of the product is associated with the appearance of the agent.

6. the characteristic factor associated with the appearance of the product is associated with an exterior color of the product and an exterior color of the agent, the exterior color being specified by the user when ordering the product; 6. The agent management device according to claim 5, wherein when the outside of the product is painted in the color specified by the user when placing the order, the characteristic setting unit changes the setting value of the characteristic factor associated with the color of the outside of the product, and changes the color of the outside of the agent to the color specified by the user when placing the order.

7. 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the agent display unit is an information device owned by the user.

8. The agent management device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication unit places an order for an item simulating the agent at a predetermined timing before the product purchased by the user is delivered, so that the order arrives in time for the product purchased by the user to be delivered to the user.

9. 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is capable of outputting the agent generated by the agent generation unit onto a predetermined metaverse.

10. the plurality of characteristic factors include a characteristic factor associated with a color of clothing worn by the agent on the outside of the upper body and the lower body, and a characteristic factor associated with a color of clothing worn by the agent on the inside of the upper body; a trait factor associated with the color of clothing worn by the agent on the outside of the upper and lower body is associated with the color of the exterior of the automobile during manufacture; 3. The agent management device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic factor associated with the color of the clothing worn by the agent on the inside of the upper body is associated with the color of the inside of the automobile during the manufacturing process.

11. 11. The agent management device according to claim 10, wherein, when the exterior of the automobile is painted in a color specified by the user when the order is placed, the characteristic setting unit changes a setting value of a characteristic factor associated with the clothing worn by the agent on the outside of the upper and lower body, and changes the color of the clothing worn by the agent on the outside of the upper and lower body to the color of the automobile specified by the user when the order is placed, and, when interior work on the automobile is completed, changes a setting value of a characteristic factor associated with the clothing worn by the agent on the inside of the upper body, and changes the color of the clothing worn by the agent on the inside of the upper body to the interior color of the automobile specified by the user when the order is placed.

12. 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is capable of outputting the agent generated by the agent generation unit to an electronic control device that is installed in the product purchased by the user and is capable of displaying the agent.

13. The plurality of characteristic factors include a characteristic factor associated with an option part externally attached to the product; 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein a characteristic factor associated with an optional part attached to the outside of said product is associated with an object attached to the outside of said agent.

14. the communication unit is capable of outputting a question to the user to the agent display unit at a predetermined timing; 2. The agent management device according to claim 1, wherein the user information includes answers of the user to questions for the user output from the communication unit to the agent display unit until the product purchased by the user is delivered to the user.

15. the plurality of characteristic factors includes a characteristic factor associated with an answer of the user to the question; 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the characteristic factors associated with the user's answers to the questions are associated with the agent's reactions or appearance.

16. The plurality of characteristic factors includes a characteristic factor associated with personal information of the user; 2. The agent management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic factors associated with the user's personal information are associated with the agent's reaction or appearance.

17. The plurality of characteristic factors include a characteristic factor associated with information regarding a preference of the user; 2. The agent management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic factor associated with the information on the user's preferences is associated with a reaction or an appearance of the agent.

18. 16. The agent management apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the characteristic factors associated with the user's answers to the questions include characteristic factors associated with the behavior of the agent.

19. 16. The agent management apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the characteristic factors associated with the user's answers to the questions include a characteristic factor associated with the agent's tone of voice.

20. 16. The agent management device according to claim 15, wherein the characteristic factors associated with the user's answers to the questions include characteristic factors associated with accessories worn by the agent.

21. 16. The agent management apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the characteristic factors associated with the user's answer to the question include characteristic factors associated with an object held by the agent.

22. determining settings for a plurality of characteristic factors that determine characteristics of the personified agent associated with the made-to-order product; generating said agent based on respective set values ​​of said plurality of characteristic factors; The generated agent can be displayed. Changing each setting value of the plurality of characteristic factors in accordance with user information regarding a user who has purchased the product and a progress status of a manufacturing process of the product purchased by the user; When the setting value of the characteristic factor is changed and a change occurs in the agent's characteristic, information notifying that a change has occurred in the agent's characteristic is output, and the user is notified that the agent's characteristic has changed.

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