Furry, friendly and full of AI, Casio's Moflin targets adult stress relief

Casio, the Japanese electronics giant best known for calculators and watches, is venturing into plushier territory with Moflin, a fluffy AI-powered pet robot that's designed to form an emotional bond with its owner. Resembling a guinea pig or maybe an earless rabbit, a Moflin reacts to being spoken to and cuddled, and can recognize a specific person's voice and touch. After about a month, it becomes more vocal and active, learning to respond to its owner with wriggles and meow-like sounds. According to Casio, artificial intelligence enables it to pull from 4 million potential combinations of audio and movement to develop and display its personality. The creature's mood is boosted by affectionate interaction, and drops when neglected or startled; users can get a closer read on their Moflin's emotional states through an accompanying app.

Originally developed by Vanguard Industries Inc. and launched on Kickstarter in 2020, Moflin's initial production was stymied by pandemic-era supply chain issues. Now manufactured and distributed by Casio, the device is available for pre-order in Japan, with shipping planned for November 2024, though it's currently listed as sold out. Available in grey and brown, Moflins sell for JPY 59,400 (USD 395/EUR 365), plus an optional annual membership for discounts on hospitalization (aka repairs), fur care and fur replacements.

🐹 So, is this all fluff? Probably not. Speculations about the future of human-bot interactions have gone into overdrive since ChatGPT was introduced, and chatbots have proven to be exceptionally engaging for those seeking emotional or intimate connections. Casio offers a simpler, more innocent form of companionship that provides moments of delight and helps soothe people when they're stressed or anxious. Take the growing popularity of Jellycats and other stuffed animals among adults, throw in responsive, AI-powered interaction plus an ever-expanding market for self-care tools, and Moflin seems like the natural evolution of multiple trends. Cats: it's time to start worrying about an animatronic furball taking your job...