Link: The creator of Roomba is back with a furry robot companion

Colin Angle, the creator behind Roomba, is introducing a new companion robot, not a cleaner, from his company Familiar Machines & Magic.

The device, named Ami, appears dog-sized and combines features of a bear, a barn owl, and a golden retriever, aiming to establish an emotional bond with users.

The Familiar is an AI-powered quadruped capable of moving independently and showing expressive non-verbal cues like meowing or purring, crafted to avoid factual advice to sidestep controversies associated with AI chatbots.

Ami is designed to interact through body language with a complex system allowing 23 degrees of freedom in movement, promoting engagement over passive digital interaction.

The robot uses Nvidia’s Jetson Orin chip for real-time social behaviors and keeps data local to ensure privacy and reduce latency, with early models showcased at the WSJ conference demonstrating interaction and autonomy.

Angle hopes the Familiar will address loneliness and provide companionship, especially for demographics like the elderly or those unable to care for real pets, enhancing quality of life without replacing human interaction. #

--

Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.