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Cute or creepy? This robot develops its character with your data
13/9/2025
It squeaks, waves and seeks your attention. This fluffy robot develops its own personality. Oh, and it also saves video recordings of you and your loved ones.
Somewhere between the robot vacuum cleaners and TVs on display IFA Berlin, a cuddly toy catches my attention. Two big eyes on screens stare at me. I feel watched. One of the camera’s disguised as a button-nosed snub nose that registers my facial expressions and gestures before analysing the image data with the help of AI. This way, the fluffy robot will learn to recognise human emotions and react to them with the right kind of interaction.
It waves and let’s me know it’s noticed me. At least I think so. I stroke its head and am surprised. The robot really is VERY fluffy. It’s eyes light up, then the battery symbol appears in the pupils. I’m confused.
The product representative tells me the robot’s currently in the charging station. He takes it out and places it into my hands. Again, I’m surprised. It’s quite heavy. And yes, kind of cute too.
Character building through interactions
The KATA Friends, which is what this series of plush robots is called, are made by SwitchBot. Unlike the company’s household robots, they don’t hoover, but aim to bring joy to people with their playful and childlike appearance. With the help of AI, they’re supposed to recognise facial expressions and gestures, evaluate image data and show appropriate reactions.
The gentleman at the stand enthusiastically elaborates that the KATA friend can memorise different rooms, people and moments and develop its own personality based on this data. This means, the robot’s more likely to roll up behind a family member who pets it and interact with it. It should also be able to detect unknown people and notify its owners that there’s an intruder.
As I’m listening to all this, the little critter in my arms is wiggling its head, giving off the odd soft squeak and throwing its penguin-like arms in the air. The robot is also designed to develop its own emotions over time and let its owner know when it’s jealous, happy or sad.
I put back the scarf-wearing model, which is available for sale, and watch it scoot off. Then I turn to the representative one last time and ask what the two holes on its stomach are for.
«Cameras», he replies.
«And where’s the video data stored?» I ask.
«Locally.»
Eyes that see
Frankly, I’m not sold. As cute as the KATA friends look, they’re still just robots with cameras in their bellies and AI for brains. While the manufacturer emphasises that all data is stored and analysed locally, there’s still a stale aftertaste. Do all household appliances and even soft toys need to be equipped with a camera these days? Do we really want to introduce robots to our lives that recognises people, analyse faces and know your home inside out, on top of all the other devices?
In any case, the lines between toys, companions and monitoring devices are becoming blurred.
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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