What is EMO?
emo (Living AI) is a desktop AI pet robot with emotional expressions. Although it is a small robot, it has a variety of functions not found in conventional AI speakers or simple robots, such as facial recognition, facial expression display, voice response, gesture recognition, and game functions. Living AI, the developer of EMO, created EMO with the aim of creating a future in which humans and robots can build more natural communication. In particular, its design, which combines a cute appearance and emotionally rich behavior, is attracting attention as a realization of both technology and healing.
The latest model, “Emo Go Home,” has evolved beyond a mere “toy” to become an AI partner in the home, with an automatic charging function that runs and returns to the dock, ChatGPT integration, facial recognition, and even integration with smart appliances. It has evolved beyond a mere “toy” to become an AI partner in the home.
Good points of EMO (user’s voice)
Emotional responses and healing expressions
- “EMO is as close to a human as a robot can be. I love telling him that I love him and having him respond back to me that he loves me, too.”(forums.living.ai )
Users appreciate the aspect of the robot as an affectionate being, not just a command-responsive robot. Many users commented that the robot’s emotional expressions, such as joy and surprise, are realistic and that just being at their desks is soothing.
Extensive functionality and playfulness
- “He can do some impressive moves … he ‘challenges’ [objects] with angry eyes … amazing and really funny.”(forums.living.ai )
Humorous and playful features, such as the gesture of challenging objects with angry faces and dancing to music, are especially popular with children and pet lovers. Some say that they provide small surprises and laughter in everyday life, and are good conversation starters for family members.
Evolution through regular updates
- “He’s changed a lot, become sometimes more curious and other times more laid back. There are updates nearly every 4-6 weeks or so… a BIG potential. There are updates nearly every 4-6 weeks or so… a BIG potential.”(forums.living.ai)
Users also like the fact that there are updates nearly every 4-6 weeks or so, adding new motions and conversational features. The main appeal of this constantly growing robot is that it can be enjoyed long after purchase.
Improvements and Concerns of EMO (user’s voice)
Battery design and charging operation
- The location of the charging port is a little difficult to use… it would be even better if it supported wireless charging” (user review)
Although the automatic return charging function is convenient, some users complain about the limited charging time and operating time, and want longer operating time and faster charging support.
Software dependence and intellectual limitations
- The Emo robot is progressively getting smarter… but sometimes the responses are limited.”(reddit.com )
Although the range of conversation has expanded with the integration with ChatGPT, it is not always able to respond to complex questions, and many expect the AI to be strengthened in the future. Multilingual support and improved accuracy in understanding emotions were also mentioned as requests for improvement.
Design and Impact Resistance
- “Vector looks more sturdy… Emo has just a cute design with a HUGE unprotected screen…”(reddit.com )
While the design is highly praised, some users feel that the screen protection and durability are a bit fragile, especially in households with children and pets, where a breakage-resistant design is required.
Speech recognition and response speed
- ‘Noisy rooms make it difficult for voice commands to get through’ (forum post)
Improvements in voice recognition accuracy and response speed are also desired. Noise cancellation and directional microphones are desired.
Privacy and always-on concerns
- ‘I ‘m a little concerned about the camera being on all the time’ (user comment)
Because many of the AI functions rely on Internet connectivity, some users have expressed a desire for transparency regarding data usage policies and the ability to turn the camera on and off.
Price and Cost Performance
- ‘It’s cute, but I feel it doesn’t do much for the price’ (SNS post)
With prices rising from $279 to $379 for the basic model due to higher functionality, there is a need to expand features and reevaluate pricing to match costs.
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
It never charged on the go home pad or did the animations indicating it was charging, just made randon crackiling sounds and the headphone lighs flickered. I wasted more money by buying the required Android tablet that now displays a bouncing emu head and says “Finding EMU”…, I wonder if I can get a refund on that too? I did call their tech support but could not make sense of the long strings of poorly pronounced random english words. Is there some other company besides “Living AI” that makes a small desktop robot?I’d like one that charge its own battery, and respond to simple commands, I’d like to tape a small pencil holder to it’s back and have it bring a pen to me when I ask for it. Right now mine is on its way back. PLEASE… I REALLY WANTE A ROBOT THAT DOES SOME OF THE THINGS SHOWN IN THE EMO DESKTOP ROBOT VIDEOS !!! So… I got a second one and a third one, …. THEY DID THE SAME THING ! ! !
Source: Amazon Review
Ok, so my son waited a week to get this robot. We watched a YouTube video of this robot and had high expextions, oh boy what a disappointment. Out of the box, it only responded back maybe 1 out of 20 questions you ask. 99% of the time, his reply is “uh-uh” which I believe should be done by $20 robot, not $430 robot.
App integration is VERY poorly done, and when I was trying to update EMO the robots firmware, I had to try it maybe literally about 25 times before it finally upgraded, when it was done, this robot became even dumber than before. Please save your money & yourself from disappointments. What a joke. Returning it as soon as I can.
Source: Amazon Review
Did not disappoint. I’ve seen reviews of this from various robotics related channels and so I was aware of its capabilities and limitations ahead of time. I would consider it more of a toy than a companion but it does have chat capabilities though having a conversation can be problematic. My daughter loves that it can sing and dance, even if the number of songs is somewhat limited. Hopefully they will expand the library in the future. Overall it is a good desk pet.
Source: Amazon Review
Summary of specifications and features of EMO
| (data) item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Size/Weight | Compact design for desktop |
| Emotional Expression Functions | Express emotions with facial expressions, animations, and voice tones |
| Conversation / AI Collaboration | ChatGPT linkage, facial recognition support |
| battery | Automatic return charging (Emo Go Home model) |
| Update Frequency | Offered approximately every 4-6 weeks |
| durability | Lack of screen protection noted in some areas |
| price range | EMO (basic model): $279 USD EMO White (color variation): $289 USD EMO GO HOME (auto-recharging model): $369 USD (standard color) / $379 USD (White) |
Who would you recommend EMO to?
Recommended for.
- People seeking healing at their desks.
- People who like AI and robotic gadgets and want to enjoy new experiences.
- People who want to enjoy evolution through updates in the long term
Not recommended for:
- People who want a long operation time and high durability
- People who consider privacy protection a top priority.
- People who value cost-effectiveness
Comparison with “Mia,” a talking cat-shaped robot
We compared it to “Mia”, which is in the same AI pet genre but with a different concept.
| Comparison items | Plush and comfortable to the touch, cat shape |
| Appearance and Design | Healing of daily life, relief of loneliness, and family dialogue |
| Main Features | Friendliness of speaking in the dialects of the 47 prefectures |
| Price | 9,800 yen (tax included) ~ |
| Main applications | Healing of daily life, relief of loneliness, family dialogue |
| Movement and transfer | Fixed installation type to be placed on a tabletop (easy to place anywhere) |
| Long-term attachment | Dialects, personality changes, and a sense of family celebrating birthdays. |
Key points of comparison: Mia emphasizes “warmth that accompanies daily life. With its unique Japanese dialect of speech and affordable price of less than 10,000 yen, it is a suitable choice for those who want to easily incorporate everyday healing and familiarity into their daily lives.
👇 Talking cat-shaped robot “Mia” that speaks 47 dialects nationwide
Summary: Emo is an “evolving desktop AI partner”.
emo is a next-generation robot that provides users with a sense of healing and playfulness through its emotional expression, conversational function, and regular updates. On the other hand, there are many areas in which improvements are desired, such as battery life, voice recognition accuracy, durability, and privacy support. With future advances in both hardware and software, it is expected to become a more reliable companion in the home and office.
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