China’s AI companion robots gain popularity as this invention integrates emotion recognition with personalized information processing.
A Chinese company has developed an AI companion robot for children that can provide nighttime companionship and even detect potential mental health risks. The startup, Shenzhen Xuanyuan Technology Co Ltd (X-ORIGIN-AI), recently secured early-stage financing worth tens of millions of yuan. This AI-powered product integrates emotion recognition with personalized information processing, enhancing companionship and adding innovation to the AI companion market.
According to company founder Li Yunzhou, their focus is on improving human-robot interaction quality. The growth of Xuanyuan Technology reflects the rapid expansion of the AI companion industry in China, which has gained widespread acceptance. A recent Tencent Research Institute report suggests that AI companionship in China has greater potential for large-scale adoption compared to markets in Europe and the US.
The report found that only 4.6% of respondents felt their companionship needs were fully met, while many faced social challenges, such as 48% hesitating to share negative emotions for fear of burdening others. Meanwhile, 79% of those surveyed believed AI companionship could help them express their emotions freely without worrying about the other person’s reactions, making it particularly beneficial for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Jiang Xiaoxia, a Shenzhen resident, shared how an AI robot helps answer her curious eight-year-old son’s endless questions. Another resident, Zhang Jun, noted that as people grow older without siblings or caregivers, robots could play a role in assisting the elderly and reducing loneliness.
Industry experts highlight that many current AI companion robots are simply advanced smart speakers relying on large language models. However, emotional interaction is emerging as the next frontier for AI companion robots, attracting new investments and fostering innovation.
In early 2023, Tangible-Future (Dongguan) Intelligent Hardware Co Ltd launched LOOI, a ChatGPT-powered interactive robot with lifelike gestures and expressive character traits, gaining online popularity. In November 2023, Shanghai Luobo Intelligent Technology Co Ltd (Robopoet) secured an angel investment worth tens of millions of yuan, with plans to mass-produce its AI-powered “trendy toy” this year.
Despite these advancements, experts caution that AI still struggles to replicate human-like behavior completely. However, this presents significant opportunities for further development. Yang Jianbo, founder of Beijing Keyi Technology Co Ltd, noted that while AI lacks the biological properties of living beings, its ability to understand and respond to humans across multiple dimensions makes it a stable and valuable companion. He envisions a future where AI robots coexist harmoniously with both humans and pets.
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