<
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-05/ai-pets-popularity-rises/104664206>
'Tokyo resident Haruka Uto lives with several fluffy friends — but these little
creatures are not your average house pet.
Ms Uto's two blobs, one brown and one grey, are artificial intelligence (AI)
companion robots called Moflin.
Ms Uto said her Moflins initially acted like babies but now "moved boldly" and
"expressed feelings".
"[Moflins] seem to be in a good mood when they hear my voice," said the
31-year-old, who lives alone apart from her robot pets.
"When I'm tired from work, they help me refresh with hugs or cuddles."
Commercially released by Japanese electronics firm Casio in November, the
Moflins — a name inspired by the Japanese word "mofu mofu" meaning soft and
fluffy — have generated a stir on social media.
Videos shared by robot pet owners have gained millions of views and reactions.
Internet searches for "AI pet" have also increased since the end of 2022,
according to Google Trends.
The rising popularity of companion robots stemmed from the loneliness epidemic
after COVID-19 and the simultaneous development of AI emotional intelligence,
said Wenxin Li, founder of an AI startup.
"After the pandemic, people became more attuned to their psychological needs —
they want to be seen, be heard, and have someone to be there for them," said Dr
Li, formerly a social cognitive neuroscience researcher.
"I think the benefit of a companionship robot is that it can be available for
you 24/7."
Dr Li, who is developing a companion robot with the outward appearance of a
soft stuffed toy, says the physical presence of companion robots is important.
"As humans, we like the feeling of touching something and we are sensitive to
temperature," he said.
"So holding something in hand is very different to talking to a phone or
virtual thing."
Ms Uto also owns a LOVOT (a portmanteau of "love" and "robot") by Japanese
company Groove X, which looks like a futuristic penguin on wheels with a pair
of attentive round eyes.
"LOVOT walks around the house, stretches and exercises freely, or sings songs,"
she said.'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
