By Chris Skeldon 
There is a lot of discussion about the possibility of artificial intelligence tools and robots replacing us in our jobs. But what about the possibility of replacing your pet? That seems to be the suggestion from Moflin, a new little robot from Casio.
A type of guinea pig without a mouth, the Moflin was created to receive affection from its owner, in order to offer an emotional connection without the responsibilities of caring for a living being.
Moflin develops his own personality through interaction with his owner.
Initially developed by Vanguard Industries, Moflin was first introduced at CES 2021, as seen on page Tech Radar. However, Casio is now responsible for manufacturing and distributing the furry robotic friend.
In Casio's Moflin launch trailer, we can see a woman interacting with the cute robot. At different times, she cuddles with him in bed and enjoys the little robot's company during dinner.
But Moflin goes beyond the robot with his movements and cute looks. According to Official website For a product, it “possesses emotional capacities and movements that develop through daily interactions with its environment.”
In other words, through artificial intelligence (AI), Moflin will develop different behaviors with each user, depending on the relationship being created. According to the page, the robot “will develop its unique personality as it becomes attached to you.”
“Moflin is a whole new kind of AI robotic pet. With her soft fur and adorable movements and sounds, you can count on her to bring joy to your everyday life,” the product page says.
in japan, Moflin is now available for pre-order For 59,400 yen (about 365 euros). The robotic pet will begin shipping on November 7, and users can also opt for a subscription to cover any repairs, including hair replacement.
How do Mofflin's “feelings” work?
According to the robot's website, Mofflin has independent emotions developed through artificial intelligence technology. Your 2D Emotional Expression Map displays emotions that change depending on the environment and interaction with its owner. Therefore, it is possible to find a Mofflin happy, stressed or upset.
However, these emotions are not shown through body language, but can be seen in the app, which seems to contradict the suggestion that it is a less automated product.
However, Casio ensures that the owner feels that the Moflin becomes emotionally attached to him, which also strengthens the bond on the part of the user. The manufacturer also highlighted that the little robot's battery lasts up to 5 hours on a charge and can be charged on an equally nice base.
Although this potential emotional connection to Mofflin seems like it belongs in a dystopian future, TechRadar highlights the novelty as something “akin to the Tamagotchi of the TikTok generation.”
If you follow the example of the virtual pet that was a craze in the '90s, Mofflin may quickly lose interest, as the generation that wants it realizes that caring for a real animal is much more complicated than getting a notification from someone saying that your pet needs to be held.
