Meet Moflin, an AI pet with “emotional capabilities that evolve like living animals.” The creature, which looks like a cross between a hamster and a slipper, won the Best of Innovation Award in Robotics at CES 2021 this week. [Read: How Netflix shapes mainstream culture, explained by data] Moflin uses a nature-inspired algorithm to learn and grow from patterns it detects through its sensors, according to its creators at Vanguard Industries: The robot’s behavior is determined by its environment and the way in which it’s treated. Vanguard Industries says this gives it a “unique personality” that can provide “tremendous therapeutic benefits” to owners of all ages.AI It sounds like an advanced Tamagotchi with added fluffy fur and endearing purrs. Cute. If you wanna give it a stroke, you can pitch ¥41,800 (around $400) into Moflin’s Kickstarter campaign. Vanguard Industries plans to deliver the first device in March 2021. As someone who wants a pet but worries that I wouldn’t give it the life it deserves, Moflin could be a safe substitute. At least I won’t feel guilty about throwing it out when it pisses me off.
