Robotic pets are nothing new. When I was a kid in the late 90s/early 2000s, we had ads for robotic dogs that could bark and whine, tilt their heads, and wag their tails. We also had the abominable Furby, a seemingly adorable bird-like creature that came to have an evil connotation for its nightmarish unannounced talking when not interacting with it.
Now that I'm, unfortunately, a grown adult with the woes of adulthood, I don't keep an eye on the latest and hottest toys for kids these days, but I assume much hasn't changed. If anything, the robotic pets of today are, literally, years ahead of the tech toys I grew up with.
Case in point, the Japanese company Casio has launched an adorable robotic pet—Moflin—that resembles a guinea pig, though Casio's website doesn't mention or identify what type of animal it is. But they do state that Moflin is a "she".
Moflin isn't just a robotic pet though. She has AI "emotional capabilities" allowing her to work like an emotional support pet. Each Moflin has its own distinct personality according to the creators and has the ability to snuggle (its specialty), shift moods depending on the situation, and apparently can form attachments to people over time. In addition to giving her snuggles, you're supposed to talk to her as well since she can react with movements and cute sounds, which help to shape her distinct personality.
“Moflin has the ability to learn and its personality will develop based on how it is treated,” said Vanguard founder Masahiko Yamanaka in a promotional video. She has Bluetooth capability to connect with an app and charges in a cute nest to avoid breaking the illusion that she's not a real pet. When charging, she goes to sleep. Users can remove her fur when she needs to be washed, but that definitely breaks the illusion.
Developed by Vanguard Industries, Inc., Moflin debuted at CES 2021 after crowdfunding campaigns through Kickstarter and Indigogo with a concept model using technology and expertise from Casio Computer Co., Ltd. With the overwhelming interest and support through those crowdfunding campaigns, Casio is now the official manufacturer of Moflin with sales now available to the general public in Japan.
Available in gray and blonde fur for ￥59,400 (roughly $400), Casio is taking pre-orders which are expected to start shipping on November 7. There’s no word on a release outside of Japan. I can see this taking off though, or at least copycats making their way to the States.
