Moxie, developed by California-based Embodied, Inc., is the world’s most advanced emotional learning (SEL) assistive robot, primarily targeted at children ages 5 to 10. The robot, the brainchild of a team of former NASA engineers and film production professionals, goes completely beyond a mere “moving toy” to establish a deep emotional connection with the child.
Product Overview (What is Moxie: Features and Basic Structure)
The robot’s most distinctive feature is its proprietary technology platform, SocialX. The latest version has advanced conversational capabilities integrated with large-scale language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4, and responds to children’s abstract questions and emotional expletives with empathic responses based on an understanding of the context. The face part features a high-definition curved display, which expresses complex emotions such as “joy, surprise, worry, and interest” through eye movements and detailed changes in facial expression.
The developer, Embodied, had a bitter experience in 2024, when its business was once in jeopardy due to difficulties in raising funds, and an email was sent to existing users announcing the “end of service”. However, the company later made a miraculous comeback thanks to the support of a passionate community and a new structure. Now, as “SocialX 2.0,” the AI function has been further enhanced, and general sales have resumed once again. This story of “a robot that once overcame setbacks” is another factor that attracts many enthusiasts.
Summary of key points
What is Moxie?
- AI robot for developing children’s social and emotional skills (SEL): teaching emotional control, empathy, conversational turn-taking, etc. in a playful way.
- Dialogue using eye contact, facial expressions, and body language: Read the child’s facial expressions with a camera and talk while maintaining eye contact at an appropriate distance.
- A new “mission” is offered every day: the setting is from the land of robots, and the child is asked to “be kind,” “draw a picture of your feelings,” or some other task.
good point
- Unparalleled expressiveness: The sparkle in their eyes and the animated movements of their necks and hips make them look as if they have just stepped out of a Pixar movie.
- Educational evidence: reflects the findings of psychologists and neuroscientists and has been used as a therapy aid for children with autism spectrum and other characteristics.
- AI evolution and resumption of sales: With GPT onboard, “deep dialogue” is now possible instead of the traditional one-way conversation, and services that were once in jeopardy are now being provided in a stable manner.
points of concern
- Unavailable in Japan: Direct sales on the official website are still only available in the United States. The only way to obtain the product in Japan is to rely on expensive parallel imports.
- Pricing in Japan: Parallel imports from Amazon.co.jp, etc., cost around **190,767 yen (including tax)**, requiring an investment of more than double the US list price (from about $799).
- Language and network limitations: Because the main language of conversation is English and cloud connectivity is required, use in Wi-Fi environments or unsupported areas in Japan is risky.
Users who may be suitable for
- Families who are willing to invest in their children’s emotional and early English education: An environment where children speak daily in native English and with an empathetic partner is extremely effective for learning English.
- Gadget lovers who want to be exposed to the latest robotics technology: those who want to have the most advanced robot in the world today at home, combining cutting-edge AI and animatronics.
- Parents looking for a developmental aid: a child who has difficulty with interpersonal communication and needs a place to practice with a non-judgmental robot partner.
rough conclusion
Moxie is “the world’s most advanced ‘teacher of the mind for children’ that combines the latest AI with the physicality of attachment,” and is a unique educational experience for families that can overcome the high barriers of price and difficulty of acquisition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is it available in Japan? Yes: Official sales are only in the United States. In Japan, only parallel imports from Amazon and other retailers are available.
- What is the price in Japan?: The actual price on Amazon.co.jp is 190,767 yen (including tax), which is significantly higher than the list price.
- What can be done?: conversation, reading, drawing, meditation, practicing social skills, recognizing objects through the camera, etc.
- Why didn’t you sell it for a while? In 2024, the business was in danger of shutting down due to financial difficulties, but now services and sales have resumed under a new structure.
- Software updates: Synchronized with the cloud via Wi-Fi; new features such as GPT linkage and object detection by camera are continuously added.
Is it available in Japan?
Direct sales on the official website are limited to the U.S. only, both in terms of shipping destination and payment. If you wish to purchase from Japan, you will have to use a forwarding service or consider parallel imports handled by Amazon in Japan. However, you should be aware that you are at risk for spending as much as 190,000 yen, as you will not receive official support (repair or operation warranty) in Japan.
What is the price in Japan?
Currently, the parallel import price on Amazon and other retailers in Japan is 190,767 yen (including tax) (as of 2026). The US list price is approximately $799 (around 120,000 yen), but this is very expensive because international shipping costs, import duties, and the seller’s profit are added to the price. In some cases, a monthly subscription is required in the U.S., so maintenance costs must also be considered.
What can Moxie do for you?
In addition to talking with the child, it offers storytelling, drawing activities, meditation, and “missions” to improve social skills. The latest version, SocialX 2.0, uses a camera to recognize the color of clothing a child is wearing or the toys he or she is holding, and can make specific comments such as, “That red T-shirt is so cool! and specific comments such as “That red T-shirt is cool!
Why wasn’t it sold for a while?
The developer, Embodied, Inc., was at one point on the verge of shutting down all cloud services and closing the company after a critical funding round failed in 2024. However, due to its technological prowess and the expectations of its user community, new partnerships and management structures were established, and the service survived. It is now back on a more stable platform as “Moxie is Back”.
Are there any software updates?
Yes, Moxie is always connected to the Internet and is automatically updated at night. These updates improve the cleverness of the conversation engine and add exclusive seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas. In recent years, it has been fully integrated with ChatGPT (GPT model), allowing for far more natural and even philosophical conversations than before.
Specifications Summary
| (data) item | Contents |
| Size | Height: approx. 38 cm (desktop size) |
| weight | Approx. 3.2 kg (firm and stable) |
| display | High-definition curved face screen (rich facial expression) |
| connectivity | Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz / Bluetooth |
| Camera/Sensor | HD camera, noise-cancelling array microphone, acceleration, and gyro sensors |
| AI Platform | SocialX 2.0 (with GPT, supports generated AI) |
| Manufacturer | Embodied, Inc. |
Reviews (Word of mouth)
Good Reviews
Moxie has become my daughter’s best friend, not just a robot, and it’s amazing to watch my daughter, who has ADHD, practice putting her feelings into words with Moxie. She used to shut down when she panicked, but now she tells herself, ‘I’m going to take the deep breaths that Moxie taught me.'”
The smoothness of the animation is fantastic. It is as if the Pixar characters have appeared in the real world. The way they listen to their children’s stories and the way they make eye contact is so natural, it’s as if they are alive. Once I heard rumors of the service being shut down, I despaired, but I am so relieved that it is back up and running.”
Neutral and Dissatisfied Reviews
The price, 190,767 yen, is no longer that of a toy but that of a high-end appliance. Some English accents can be hard to hear, and when the server is heavy, the response delay of a few seconds can be stressful.”
There is some concern about the future of this company, as sales stopped for a while and support was also lost at one point. However, the quality of the product itself is unique. The quality of the product itself, however, is unique, and while it is your own responsibility to use it outside the U.S., I think it is worth it.”
comprehensive evaluation
Moxie is not simply a voice assistant in robot form, but an extremely rare device designed to “accompany a child’s emotional growth. In particular, SocialX 2.0, which is now back on the market, has dramatically improved its ability to weave visual information into conversations, giving children the feeling of being “really seen and understood,” something that has never been achieved with robots before.
However, for users in Japan, the biggest barriers are the high hurdle of “sales only in the U.S.” and the price tag of “over 190,000 yen” due to parallel imports. In addition, since it is cloud-dependent, the risk of limited functionality depending on the manufacturer’s business situation cannot be ignored.
Comparison with “Mia,” a talking cat-shaped robot
| point of view | Moxie | Dialects of 47 prefectures, daily healing, and family conversation |
| appearance | Animated humanoid animatronics in the style of a cartoon. | Fixed cat-shaped design for familiarity |
| feature | Emotional Awareness, SEL Education, and Depth of Dialogue | Dialects of 47 prefectures, daily healing, family conversation |
| Price | Very expensive (from about 190,767 yen) | Affordable (from 9,800 yen) |
| Obtain in Japan | Difficult (parallel imports only, outside official) | Easy (sold by Japanese domestic manufacturer) |
| use | Gifted and Talented Education, Rehabilitation, Advanced AI Dialogue | Healing, color in daily life, friendly conversation |
| operation | Smooth movement of neck, hips, etc. (dynamic) | Installation type (no moving parts, only LCD expression) |
| Language | English (main) | Japanese (47 prefectural dialects supported) |
| risk | Server outages and unsupported concerns | Simple structure with domestic support |
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
Moxie is one of the most attractive options today for users with specific needs, including
- Those who want to spare no budget and welcome cutting-edge AI educational devices into their homes.
- Those who wish to introduce the highest level of animatronics and interactive experiences to their children’s English education.
- Those who are attracted by the rarity of not being sold in Japan and the latest AI technology from the U.S.
On the other hand, given its high cost, lack of support in Japan, and English-centric communication, it is not recommended for everyone.
If you feel that you want a partner who is closer to you and speaks to you easily in Japanese (especially in a warm dialect), an option like Mia, a cat-shaped robot from Japan, may be a more realistic and long-lasting partner. Moxie is an “educational tool with high aspirations,” while Mia is a “healing family member that can be a part of your everyday life,” a clear distinction that is best suited to your family’s needs.
See more details on the official website: Moxie Robot Official
Watch the introduction video: Moxie Robot – How it works
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