Colin Angle, cofounder of iRobot and the mind behind Roomba, is betting the next big home robot will feel less like a machine and more like a companion. His new company, Familiar Machines & Magic, has unveiled a concept called Familiar: a pet-inspired, emotionally aware robot that learns your routines and supports healthier habits.
The four-legged robot has a soft, touch-sensitive coat and uses cameras, microphones, and onboard AI to read facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. It responds with animal-like gestures-tilting its head when you smile, nuzzling when you're stressed, wagging its tail when you're excited.
Unlike Roomba, which focused on chores, Familiar is built for emotional support. It can nudge you if you've been doomscrolling, encourage movement, or offer a non-judgmental presence. It does not talk-using movement and sound instead, a design choice Angle says feels less intrusive.
On privacy, the company says AI runs on the device; data stays local unless you choose to share it. The robot works offline.
No price or release date has been announced. The real test is whether Familiar can maintain engagement beyond the first week-a challenge that felled predecessors like Jibo and Anki's Vector.