I think 2026 might be the year that robots finally take over...but in a more cute and compact way as opposed to worldwide domination. How would you feel about having a robot companion the size of a keychain? I know it probably sounds like a waste of technology, but I just discovered the adorable Eiliko AI robot, and I won’t rest until I get one.
Back in 2023, I wrote about the rising trend of AI desk pets, and the most popular type being Eilik robots created by Energize Lab. These "pets" are a branch of emotional intelligence robots designed to broaden the social interactions that humans have with AI devices, and they're pretty dang cute too (unlike the very overpriced Moflin robot, which looks like a moth/guinea pig hybrid).
