Introducing a new breed of best friend. Pets with artificial intelligence flood into your home, and you don’t need a grain.
These digital companions bridge the gap between cold equipment and warm support, offering a unique combination of high-tech functionality and emotional connection. As the lines between smart devices and furry friends blur, technology enthusiasts and comfort seekers are drawn to these cutting-edge creatures.
Casio has released Moflin, a furry robot pet equipped with AI, in Japan. Described by TechRadar as looking like a “big guinea pig with no mouth” or “a Porg from Star Wars but turned sideways,” Moflins are designed to be hugged and cuddled, and they have emotional and physical properties similar to real pets. It provides a complete connection, but it is not complete. Responsibility for caring for live animals.
These AI companions represent a growing trend at the intersection of technology and wellness, as companies look for ways to meet the growing demand for stress relief and emotional support. AI pets could disrupt traditional business models in the gadget market, offering technology companies the possibility of earning recurring revenue through subscription-based services beyond the initial purchase.
“This new product has the potential to further drive consumer spending in the wellness and tech gadget space,” said Olivia Tapper, co-founder of DTC SEO Agency and the “dog mom” behind PetPortraits.com. “There’s a certain gender,” he told PYMNTS. “Casio’s Moflin solves a specific pain point, designed to provide comfort and support. It could be a good product for people who can’t afford a real pet.”
Recalling her experience with digital pets, Tapper said: “I grew up with Tamagotchi toys, and this proves that people enjoy caring for digital pets. This is the next level.”
Cute Friends: From Mofflins to Sidekicks
Moflin is priced at 59,400 yen (approximately $400) and will begin shipping on November 7th. Casio offers an optional subscription service called Club Mofflin that covers repairs, including fur replacement, demonstrating the potential for recurring revenue in this new market segment.
Moflin’s AI capabilities allow it to develop its own personality through daily interactions with its environment. According to Casio, Mofflins “evolve” emotionally and become attached to their owners over time. However, unlike real pets, a Moflin’s emotional state is only visible through a companion app, which some may find less intuitive than reading an animal’s body language.
According to a TechRadar report, the robot pet has 5 hours of battery life on a single charge, and needs a 3.5-hour power boost with a “cute charging bed” to continue providing emotional support.
Moflin is getting a lot of attention, but it’s not alone in the AI pet market. Several companies are developing and improving versions of artificial companions. A pioneer in this field, Sony’s Aibo was first introduced in 1999 and relaunched in 2017. The latest model, the ERS-1000, is a robotic dog that uses AI to learn and respond to its owner. A camera mounted on the nose can perform tricks, respond to voice commands, and take photos.
Tombot’s Jennie is explicitly designed for older adults and people with dementia. This robotic Labrador retriever puppy focuses on providing comfort and companionship with realistic movements and reactions.
Yukai Engineering’s Qoobo is a tail-wagging cushion that takes a different approach and focuses solely on the comfort aspect of owning a pet.
For the tech-savvy, Elephant Robotics offers MarsCat, an interactive cat robot powered by a quad-core Raspberry Pi. It features facial recognition and an open-source platform for programming new behaviors.
Meanwhile, Ageless Innovation’s Joy for All companion pets (including cats and puppies) are designed specifically for seniors. It provides realistic fur and pet-like sounds to provide comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness.
The Business of Digital Devotion
When it comes to subscription services like Club Moflin, Tapper says there are clear benefits for businesses.
“Subscription services are perfect for AI-driven companies,” she said. “If you have repeat customers who pay regularly, your customer acquisition costs will decrease over time.”
“We can also add new features as we evolve the product based on customer feedback,” she added. “This can lead to an expanded customer base and potential upsells.”
However, Tapper pointed out that data privacy:
“It is important to note that in this era of AI and data management, customers may want to understand how their data is used,” she said. “Do your devices hear you? How is your data managed?”
On the question of whether emotional attachment to AI pets leads to long-term loyalty, Tapper emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction.
“When your products and services meet your customers’ needs and expectations, you are more likely to build and nurture a loyal customer base,” she said. “Building a business is more than selling a product. You need to take care of your customers after the sale and solve any problems that may arise.”
Despite her enthusiasm for the technology, when asked if she would buy an AI pet herself, Tapper said a resounding “no.”
“I have a dog and I love the connection we have,” she said. “He is my fur baby and I have no intention of replacing him with an AI pet. Personally, I would rather buy a real pet.”
But she acknowledged that AI pets may be appealing to some people.
“We can see situations in which people might get an AI pet, for example, with less responsibility or commitment,” she said.
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Details: Ageless Innovation, aibo, artificial intelligence, casio, DTC SEO Agency, Elephant Robotics, GenAI, innovation, Jennie, Joy for All, main feature, MarsCat, Moflin, news, Olivia Tapper, PetPortraits.com, PYMNTS news, Qoobo, Saturday Special, Sony, Subscription, Technology, Tombot, Weekender, Yukai Engineering
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