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This robot utilizes artificial intelligence to form a deep connection with its owner, providing emotional awareness and realistic, engaging interactions.
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), one product has captured significant attention: the debut creation of Ropet, a company founded in 2022. Their first innovation is an AI-driven robotic pet designed for emotional connection. Outfitted with cutting-edge AI and equipped with visual and auditory sensors, this plush-covered robot can recognize human emotions and actions, adapt its behavior through learning, and respond intuitively.
Ropet is irresistibly soft and round, with tiny arms on its sides and large, expressive eyes that convey lifelike emotions. Stroking its fluffy exterior prompts it to respond with a gentle, heartwarming gaze. With a body temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius, Ropet feels surprisingly lifelike, mimicking the warmth of a living creature.
Redefining Interaction with Robotic Pets
The Ropet team recognized a growing societal challenge: rising urbanization has led to more solitary households and an aging population, fueling feelings of loneliness. Amid economic uncertainty, people are prioritizing essential purchases, but the demand for emotional companionship products continues to grow. According to Market Monitor, the global companion robot market, valued at $10.5 billion (RMB 75 billion) in 2023, is expected to reach $42.6 billion (RMB 304.3 billion) by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 25.56% between 2024 and 2029.
Ropet distinguishes itself from traditional robotic pets by blending realistic, emotionally resonant interactions with the simplicity of a tangible, cuddly companion. It bridges the gap between digital pets and real-life animals, offering the emotional benefits of both while wrapped in a cute, fuzzy design.
Ropet’s behavior is strikingly lifelike. It maintains body warmth and exhibits “needs” such as hunger. When it’s “hungry,” it emits a soft stomach-growling sound, prompting users to present a toy banana or apple. Upon recognizing the object, Ropet remembers it for future interactions, displaying the item on its digital eyes with accompanying chewing sounds.
Additionally, Ropet is sensitive to user emotions. For example, if its owner appears bored, it widens its eyes and signals for a hug. “Much like stroking a real cat can relieve stress, holding or touching Ropet creates a similar calming effect,” explained He Jiabin, Ropet’s co-founder and CEO.
Over time, Ropet personalizes its interactions by learning its owner’s habits and emotional cues. As He noted, “Once a bond is established, its responses to you will differ from how it reacts to others. If it feels ‘upset,’ it might respond to your touch in a unique way compared to someone else’s.”
The Technology Behind Ropet
Ropet’s realistic responses are powered by a multimodal perception system that combines input from visual, auditory, and tactile sensors. This system detects facial expressions, vocal tones, and touch, as well as changes in body temperature associated with emotional states. However, simply collecting data isn’t enough—Ropet interprets and reacts in ways that make it feel alive and emotionally attuned.
Through offline edge computing, Ropet processes data locally, enabling each unit to develop unique behaviors based on its owner’s interactions. “We’ve embedded a ‘brain’ into Ropet, allowing it to grow and adapt, which aligns with the essence of pet companionship,” He explained.
Interestingly, over 70% of Ropet’s Kickstarter supporters are women, many of whom are first-time backers. This reflects a growing demand for emotionally intelligent products tailored to women, particularly white-collar professionals in their 30s. Unlike many companion robots that cater to children or focus on flashy features, Ropet emphasizes subtle, soothing interactions over constant movement or noise.
“True companionship doesn’t require words,” He said. “Sometimes, just having a quiet presence—like a pet resting nearby—is enough to improve your mood.”
A Promising Future
Since its Kickstarter launch, Ropet has raised nearly $300,000 and attracted over 900 backers. The first batch of units is set for delivery in March.
The core Ropet team includes experts from Stanford University and leading Chinese tech companies like ByteDance, Baidu, and Xiaomi. Co-founder He Jiabin, who has over a decade of experience in smart hardware, drew on his work in developing products like the Baidu Eye, Luka reading robot, and Pico VR headset.
Unlike traditional robots that prioritize mobility or human-like actions, Ropet’s design caters to a specific niche: users who value emotional support and companionship over utility. “Ropet doesn’t need to walk, dance, or perform tricks,” He said. “Its purpose is simple: to quietly sit by your side and offer comfort when you need it.”
Source: Meet Ropet: The AI-powered pet stealing the show at CES 2025 | KrASIA
The Ropet founder answered a few frequently asked questions on their Youtube channel:
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Ropet, the ai powered pet robot?
