iRobot founder Colin Angle unveils 'Familiar', a new robotic companion

Colin Angle, the founder of iRobot, has revealed a new quadruped robot named 'Familiar' designed specifically for emotional connection rather than household chores. Developed by his new venture, Familiar Machines & Magic, the device resembles a cross between a bear, a barn owl, and a golden retriever. It features movable facial features and a touch-sensitive coat, marking a distinct shift from his previous work on cleaning robots.

The robot, internally codenamed 'Ami', is powered by an on-device AI stack running on an Nvidia Jetson Orin chip. This hardware allows the system to foster a distinct personality without requiring an internet connection. The project draws on a team of engineers from major institutions including Disney, MIT, Boston Dynamics, Amazon, Bose, and Sonos to develop both the hardware and software.

Angle states the device will not be available for purchase until next year, with pricing expected to be around the same as pet ownership. The company has targeted initial use cases toward families with young children, elderly companionship, and addressing the global loneliness epidemic. The design deliberately avoids a specific animal form to prevent users from having preconceived expectations about its capabilities.

During a demonstration at the WSJ Future of Everything conference, the robot performed nonverbal sounds like meowing and purring. It was designed to communicate primarily through body language and these nonverbal cues rather than speech, to avoid giving inappropriate factual advice. The robot features 23 degrees of freedom, allowing it to move its head, neck, ears, eyes, and eyebrows while walking at a slow human pace.

The initiative aims to avoid the fate of previous failed home robots by focusing on physical embodiment and genuine interaction rather than being a screen in a box. Angle noted that pet ownership rates drop significantly after age 68, creating a market gap for non-living companions. The robot is intended to encourage users to engage with the physical world, potentially reducing screen addiction and isolation.

While the first units were partially operator-controlled during the event, Angle indicated the Familiar will be fully autonomous by the time it launches. He emphasised that the goal is to create a creature users want in their world, rather than a toy or a chatbot, to sustain long-term engagement and address the growing problem of loneliness.