Thoughts on Eiliko?

[Chris]

Wondering what others make of the Eiliko robot currently on Kickstarter? Originally I dismissed it as a kids toy. But I might be wrong. Personally my robots need to have a camera so they can see and respond to their surroundings otherwise they come across as toy-like to me. Anyone here backing Eiliko?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/energize-lab/eiliko

 

[Pono]

I feel it is more like a toy. A lot of robots are starting too look the same with the same functionality.

 

[Chris]

I feel it is more like a toy. A lot of robots are starting too look the same with the same functionality.

Agree. It’s definitely a kids toy, not sure why they are using adults in the advertising. I think a lot of adults are attracted to these types of toy-like robots simply for affordability reasons. I think the term for these types of robots is “smart toy.”

For me to be considered a companion robot it has to have onboard AI of some sort, capable of reacting to the surroundings around it using vision, perceives sound, has at least one touch sensor and is capable of expressing emotion through facial or body movement. I’ve tried to only include robots here that fit that criteria. Although it’s unbelievable how there are sophisticated robots like Loona and Moxie that are marketed exclusively towards children as if they are mere toys when they are anything but.

 

[phelips]

It's more than a toy. The personality and interactivity are its camera. It responds to touch and sound in a surprisingly engaging way. Worth a second look.

 

[Chris]

This is almost unbelievable. Energize Lab have transformed Eiliko’s sibling Eilik from kids toy to AI companion with an “AI station” that gives it the ability to see with a camera and hear using a microphone.

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