{"id":1917749,"date":"2026-05-04T20:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T17:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1917749"},"modified":"2026-05-04T20:52:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T17:52:58","slug":"roomba-inventor-unveils-a-companion-robot-thats-more-pet-than-helper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1917749","title":{"rendered":"Roomba inventor unveils a companion robot that’s more pet than helper"},"content":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/03mbCxzJv3aisGieB6r7zvX\/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1777927971.jpg”]<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Home<\/a>><\/span>Tech<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Roomba inventor unveils a companion robot that’s more pet than helper<\/h1>\n
The unnamed Familiar exists more for emotional support than completing tasks.<\/div>\n
\n
\n \u00a0By\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alex Perry<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"journalist<\/p>\n
\n
Alex Perry<\/div>\n
Tech Reporter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn\u2019t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social<\/a>.\n <\/div>\n

Read Full Bio<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0on\u00a0

Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a>Share on Twitter<\/span><\/a>Share on Flipboard<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"woman<\/p>\n
It looks like a cross between a bear, a dog, and a Furby.<\/span>Credit: Familiar Machines & Magic<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

At this point, most home robots are either glorified vacuums<\/a> or far-off concepts<\/a> that may never become commercially available. However, we just got a look at a new home companion robot potentially coming to market next year, and its inventor has a proven track record of putting robots into homes.<\/p>\n

Colin Angle, co-founder of Roomba maker iRobot<\/a>, fully unveiled his new company Familiar Machines & Magic at the Wall Street Journal<\/em>‘s The Future of Everything<\/a> event this week. <\/p>\n

FM&M’s goal is to make home robots that act more as emotional companions than chore machines. Its debut product is a four-legged robot companion codenamed Ami (per The Verge<\/a>). The robot looks like a cross between a dog and a bear, and it’s designed to spark a connection with its human owner.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
You May Also Like<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

“The next era of robotics is not just about dexterity or humanoid form \u2014 it’s about machines that can build and sustain human connection,” Angle said, per an official press release<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n

4\/ More to come. For now \u2192 https:\/\/t.co\/RJClYHvIkN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6dcvEl3Skm<\/a><\/p>\n

— Familiar Machines & Magic (@FamiliarMxM) May 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n