Roomba creator unveils AI-powered robot companion 'Familiar'
colin angle, creator of roomba, unveiled 'familiar', a dog-sized robot companion from his new company familiar machines & magic. the quadruped uses on-device generative ai to develop a personality and form emotional connections, avoiding verbal speech to prevent hallucination risks. it targets eldercare and family markets and launches in 2026 with a cost comparable to pet ownership.
Colin Angle, former CEO of iRobot, introduced 'Familiar,' a quadruped robot designed for companionship rather than chores. Developed by his new venture Familiar Machines & Magic, the device uses on-device generative AI to create distinct personalities and respond emotionally to users. The company deliberately avoided a humanoid form, opting for a creature resembling a mix of a bear, owl, and dog to prevent preconceived utility expectations.
The robot, codenamed Ami, communicates solely through non-verbal sounds like purring to mitigate risks associated with LLM hallucinations. Targeting sectors such as eldercare and parental support, Familiar will launch in 2026 with a pricing model 'around the same as pet ownership.' The team includes veterans from iRobot, Disney, Boston Dynamics, and Amazon.