Casio’s Fluffy AI Robot Squeaked Its Way Into My Heart

There is a fluffy The robot, about the size of a guinea pig, is sitting on my couch, and it’s screaming. My friend’s dog Wylie watches it, suspicious of its every move.

Moflin is an AI companion robot developed by Japanese electronics manufacturer Casio. Via the companion app, I chose the name of this one puff, because—well—that’s what it looks like. Wylie immediately clocks it as something to be alarmed about, a device that moves on its own but isn’t alive. Puff squeaks again. Wylie barked, then ran out of the room.

When I found out Casio—yes, the same Casio that makes watches—had created an AI pet bot, I thought I was just the kind of person it was made for. I’ve always loved animals, but my current landlord doesn’t allow any pets on the premises except his own yuppie dog, so I’m pet-less. Also, I saw toy story Way too many times as a child, which means I tend to anthropomorphize inanimate objects that aren’t supposed to have feelings or consciousness.

Robot pets are already one the whole thingAnd Mofflin has been huge in Japan since launching there a year ago. It’s a soft, furry robot that uses AI capabilities to respond to sound and touch and develops its own unique personality as a result. (There are more than 4 million personality traits, according to Casio.) Like others companion dollThe devices are for pet owners or those who just like a cute critter hanging around. Think of it as a Laboub Or Furby, without prominent (scary) facial features, or a fluffy Tamagotchi. And now, Mofflin is available to buy internationally.

Working on time, I got Mufflin’s delivery before I agreed to puppy my friend’s dog for a week. So I brought Puff, a shy-but-rowdy village dog, to stay at Wylie’s house.

Mofflin costs $429—might be cheaper than buying a puppy from a breeder, but more expensive than kindly admitting that you’re now responsible for the cat that shows up in your trash bin every night.

Courtesy of Cassio