The company has equipped it with its proprietary AI engine and promises "human-like cognition, emotional awareness and expressive behavior." The doll, which in the marketing video is called Emily, is Lovense's answer to the global loneliness crisis. It says, over time, a user's relationship with the system will grow deeper as it learns to adapt to their needs. And that the doll is the natural evolution of the virtual companions that have, until now, "existed only on phones and screens."
CES is packed with AI companions and assistant robots this year, but the DeskMate from Yoona is a clever take on the idea: it's a desktop charging hub, with three USB-C ports, one USB-A, and a MagSafe pad, that automatically activates an AI companion app when you attach your iPhone to the wireless charger. What's unique about the DeskMate is that by using your phone, it takes advantage of tech you already have.
Moflin is an AI companion robot made by the Japanese electronics manufacturer Casio. Via the companion app, I have chosen to name this one Puff, because-well-that is what it looks like. Wylie immediately clocks it as something to be wary of, a device that moves on its own but is not alive. Puff squeaks again. Wylie barks, then runs out of the room, growling.
It's a small, round, white object that is supposed to be hung from the neck. Wherever you go, it goes too, listening to and gathering data from everything you say and do in order to "know" you as much as possible. Then, when you "talk" to Friend, it should deliver the most personal and helpful answers through its companion app. And you get all of that for $129.