This past week has seen lots of innovations coming out of the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show.
One of those is Moflin, an AI pet robot with “emotional capabilities”, that looks like a fluffy gray guinea pig, with black beady eyes and soft fur.
Here’s a short video:
Created by Vanguard Industries, the robot uses a unique algorithm that allows Moflin to learn and grow, using built-in sensors to evaluate its surroundings. These sensors include accelerometers with gyroscopes, touch sensors, and microphones.
That means its capable of distinguishing between different people depending on how they interact with it, and can express its ‘feelings’ accordingly, through movements and unbearably cute sounds that were inspired by real animal noises.
According to the company, each Moflin will develop an individual personality over time, depending on the environment and “how their owners treat them”, with possible emotions including anxious, calm, happy, excited, and more – just like a real pet.
When it needs to be charged, you place it in a nest-like wireless charging cradle – and when you do, Moflin will make “cute sounds and small reactions” like a real sleeping animal would.
Vanguard Industries says that it aims to successfully deliver its first Moflin in March, and you can get your hands on one by pledging $400, with delivery expected by June 2021.
Given that many airlines are cutting back on allowing emotional support animals, Moflin might be just what a traveler needs to keep them calm. That’s assuming you’ve been treating Moflin with tender loving care…
Personally, I can’t see myself wanting one of these. If I’m going to buy an artificial robot, I want one that will do things for me. Like clean my house, or even better, write my daily blog…
Source: TechRadar
An interesting idea, Jim. I can’t wait for the human babies with an on off sound switch.
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they would be in high demand!
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It seems a bit corny to me, but it wouldn’t surprise me if something like this takes off, with the wealthy who think nothing of dropping $400 on an expensive toy.
Do you remember Furbies, Jim? Kids kept bringing them to school, and some were even stolen, causing the principal to ban them from school. A kid in my class brought one anyway. After I confiscated it, I put it in my closet at school. The thing kept making noises to the point that I had to remove the batteries.
Out of curiosity, I Googled Furbies and found this note.
On January 13, 1999, it was reported the National Security Agency of the United States banned Furbies from entering NSA’s property due to concerns that they may be used to record and repeat classified information, advising those that see any on NSA property to “contact their Staff Security Officer for guidance.”
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I do remember Furbies; in fact this toy reminded me of a Furby. That is strange to think they could be a security risk!
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I was just trying to think of the name – yes what did happen to Furbies? I can imagine the nightmare for teachers!
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it sounds like it…
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My kids were brought up with dogs and three of them have a dog, but the fourth is living in an inner city environment with both parents working and a dog would be left alone for too long. This would seem an ideal ‘pet’ for each of their boys – perhaps see how the robots develop individually…
But not at that price!
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they may have their uses, but I agree it seemed quite expensive!
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Although this is an interesting progression of AI into our lives, I am with you Jim, I want our foray into the world of home robotics to remove some of my chores from the list. Plus how long will it take before Moflin and Alexa have a secret plan to take over?
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good point; who knows what the two of them would be talking about when no one is home! 🙂
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they kind of creep me out )
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I thought the same thing…
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I find these scary…how disconnected must we become from real life before we say ‘stop’?
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I agree, but they might be helpful in certain situations for certain people. But I’d much prefer a real pet!
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Messy, but fun, Jim. 😉
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Personally I find these things creepy. However, if it cleaned and wasn’t anamorphic, I might be a little more open to the idea.
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yes, I want a robot that does some housework. and looks like a robot, not a human…
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One for those with more money than sense, I think. You’d look really stupid taking it for a walk. And I wouldn’t trust it to write blog posts for me!
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I can imagine a new government initiative – sending those of us who live alone one to keep us company and take out on our daily exercise.
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You’re welcome to mine, if you’d like a pair 😊
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if the government is paying for them, I think a lot of people would want one…
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You thin they would make it look like more than just a fluffy blob. I suppose it’s an alternative for people who can’t walk their pet or are allergic to dander.
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Unlike you I want like 10 of these lol! It would be nice if it could do the laundry though…
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More cameras and microphones in our homes. An emotional relationship with algorithms doesn’t sound very appealing..
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Or one that makes coffee and pours the wine!
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that kind of robot sounds useful… 🙂
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I was just trying to think of the name – yes what did happen to Furbies? I can imagine the nightmare for teachers!
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Seem rather creepy to me! We used to visit a housebound old lady on our library round who had a little fluffy dog that looked like a stuffed toy and a toy cat that looked real – it would mew when the light was switched on or off, not quite as sophisticated as this new toy.
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that mewing sounds like it could get annoying…
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We have Alexis and Suri and now the pet…No thank you …
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these little robots are slowly taking over the world…
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Yes… slowly, slowly catchee monkey… It seems to be working…
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🙂
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Yikes. They kind of remind me of Tribbles, but creepier.
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it is kind of creepy…
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It looks cute, but no thanks. It’s not the same as a living pet, it’s just not and I agree with other comments. It’s borderline creepy.
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creepy and expensive; not a good combo…
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Actually found that video quite scary…
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