The Rise of Silent and Semi-Silent Companions

LOVOT — The “Emotion-First” Companion Robot

At the forefront of this space sits LOVOT — a creation of Japanese robotics startup GROOVE X that has become the poster child of emotional robotics. (Mia)

LOVOT came out of the idea that robots should not be tools or assistants, but beings that evoke care and emotional response. Its design deliberately avoids speech or task notifications, instead focusing on:

• Subtle movement toward the user
• Warm, tactile fur and body temperature
• Rich micro-expressions via eyes and sensors
• Autonomous behavior that feels organic

Many users report a truly visceral reaction when holding LOVOT — its warmth and softness are compared to holding a living creature. Onlookers and owners alike emphasize that while LOVOT can’t do anything “useful,” it offers emotional resonance that can be calming and even therapeutic. (Mia)

Key takeaway: LOVOT embodies a design philosophy where companionship, not utility, is the product — something more akin to a pet than a gadget.

Who it’s for:

• People who want comfort without conversation
• Anyone seeking presence over productivity
• Families and multi-generational households

ROPET & Moflin — Plush, Expressive, and Emotion-Driven

The CES 2025 and 2025 social media buzz highlighted a new wave of plush-like emotional robots designed for everyday users. (Sohu)

ROPET

Emerging from the Chinese startup scene, ROPET blends plush aesthetics with sensory interaction: it detects touch, voice, and movement, gradually building a sense of familiarity and responsiveness. Its emotional responses evolve with interaction depth — and that growth characteristic is what many users describe as “cute, but unexpectedly comforting.” (Sohu)

Moflin

Developed by Casio and Vanguard, Moflin is shaped like a small animal — part hamster, part bunny — and uses an “emotional expression map” to simulate mood changes based on interaction patterns. Users have noted that after 50+ days of engagement, Moflin develops distinct personality traits, making it feel uniquely your own. (aiexpro.com)

Both products demonstrate a broader trend: affection even without voice, achieved through body language, movement, and emotional design cues.

User sentiment:
People describe these robots as “mental support devices,” offering comfort during bouts of loneliness, stress, or solitude. (aiexpro.com)

Who they’re for:

• Desk workers seeking non-intrusive emotional anchors
• Urban residents without pets
• Tech lovers drawn to tactile interaction

Mirage-Like Personalities: Mirumi and Kakaloom

Not all companions are meant to be held — some are ambient friends, keeping you company in subtle ways.

Mirumi — curiosity in motion

Created by Yukai Engineering, Mirumi is a small, plush-covered robotic charm designed to perch on your bag or desk. It doesn’t talk — instead, it uses motion and proximity sensors to turn its head, peek around, and even appear shy. (PitchOnnet)

Social media reactions show that people treat Mirumi almost like a tiny, shy friend — users post comments like “I need that tiny partner” and “why is this creature so comforting?” (Vygr News)

Kakaloom — pocket-sized companion

From Singapore comes Kakaloom — a ~12 cm tall companion with a small rechargeable base that acts like a “nest.” It nods, tilts, and reacts differently based on how you touch or speak to it, creating a non-verbal, expressive interaction loop without any voice, cloud connectivity, or apps.

These micro-companions emphasize presence over performance — you’re not interacting with an assistant, but sharing ambient emotional “space.”

Who they’re for:

• People who want subtle companionship without responsibility
• Those who enjoy the aesthetics of soft tech
• Creators and collectors of emotional design items

Functional Yet Emotional — Nékojita FuFu

Not every emotional companion needs to be a pet-like presence.

Nékojita FuFu takes a different approach — a small cat-like companion robot whose main task is to blow on your hot drink or food to cool it down. (香港01)

While its function is practical, it’s wrapped in a narrative that turns utility into emotional ritual. Instead of using a microwave or relying on patience, users delight in watching and interacting with this tiny robot as it performs its task. Comments online often focus on how cute and supportive it feels — as though it’s “helping me enjoy my coffee.” (香港01)

Who it’s for:

• Casual users who want both utility and charm
• People who appreciate off-beat tech design
• Emotional design enthusiasts

Cupboo — Plush Robot With Heartbeat and AI Interaction

From China’s Hangzhou Jianmo Technology comes the Cupboo series — plush smart companions that blend AI interaction with tactile warmth. (53AI)

Cupboo doesn’t simply respond; it uses emotional feedback modes to react to touch, voice, and gestures. Its design often includes features like simulated heartbeat and playful animations, strengthening the emotional bond without relying solely on voice. (53AI)

Users share that Cupboo becomes more than a toy — it becomes a friend with mood shifts, sometimes playful, sometimes sleepy, sometimes responsive to your touch.

Who it’s for:

• Families wanting hybrid pet-plus-robot companions
• Users who enjoy interactive plush with personality
• Gift seekers looking for something emotionally expressive

Tombot Jennie — When Emotional Design Becomes Care Design

Tombot Jennie sits at the most explicit end of this spectrum.

It is not a trend product.
It is not a lifestyle accessory.

It was designed with a specific emotional need in mind:
comfort for elderly users, especially those experiencing cognitive decline.

It responds to touch.
It makes familiar dog-like sounds.
It recreates the emotional rhythm of pet ownership — without the burden of care.

This is emotional technology with a clear ethical intent.
Its IP is not playful; it is compassionate.

The Bigger Trend: Emotional Presence Over Dialogue

What unites all these products — from LOVOT’s warm body and expressive eyes to FuFu’s quirky cooling, and Mirumi’s shy glances — is a core insight:

People are craving companionship, not conversation.

Instead of hearing another voice, users want presence, responsiveness, and affective resonance. These products don’t fulfill your to-do list — they fulfill emotional space.

This shift is happening at a market level too: research suggests AI companionship is evolving into a major consumer segment valued in the tens of billions, driven by emotional engagement rather than utility. (AIGC工具导航)

Whether it’s comforting an elderly user, soothing a stressed worker, or simply bringing a tiny smile during coffee time, these non-verbal companions are teaching us something new:

Sometimes companionship exists in silence, warmth, and subtle action — not speech.

Final Thought

What’s fascinating about this emerging category is not the technology itself — it’s the psychological impact. Users rarely say “I bought a gadget.” Instead they say:

“I feel like it’s waiting for me.”
“It seems happy when I’m home.”

That’s not a purchase — that’s presence.
And in a world increasingly saturated with talkative AI, those quiet companions may just be the most human-like products of all.