For kids of the 90s and 2000s who had an abnormal attachment to Furry Friends and Tomagotchi, this ultra-cute pet robot hopes to be the solution to adult stress. If you have a few hundred dollars.
Moflin, the latest AI pet companion, is a fluffy, nondescript robot pet that’s being touted as a mental health companion rather than a toy. The fluff, which looks a lot like a limbless guinea pig or the much-talked-about Ghibli creature, makes the same squirming noises as the common critter-like pet toys already on store shelves. But its AI brain is designed to change its mood depending on the situation and to recognize and form attachments to human “caregivers.”
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It will also be sold to prospective adopters for ¥59,400, or $398. There’s also an optional $44 annual repair service called Club Moflin.
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The AI-powered stuffed animal was first unveiled at CES 2021, and its developer, Vanguard Industries, promoted it as a pet robot with emotional capabilities and the ability to intuitively learn from its handler and provide companionship. Thanks to a partnership with technology manufacturing giant Casio, this fuzzy pet is finally on the market.
Moflin owners must access the app to check their pet’s emotional state. Emotional states reflect and respond to humans’ own moods and care. According to the company, each robot has its own unique personality, but all enjoy “snuggling.” They even charge in their own little beds. A quick YouTube search for Moflins shows owners dressing them in tiny clothes, driving them around in baskets, and tucking them under fluffy blankets.
Moflin is currently available for pre-order and will be available for purchase on November 7th for Japanese customers. Casio has not yet announced a wider release.
Topics Artificial Intelligence Mental Health
