Tech

Moxie is a $1,500 robot from an Amazon-backed startup that can have conversations with kids to help them learn — take a look at how it works

Mary Meisenzahl

2020-05-16T12:41:00Z

Moxie_Embodied_Lifestyle_006 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

Startup Embodied announced a robot companion designed for children, called Moxie.
Moxie is designed to interact with kids and help with social, emotional, and cognitive development, while parents connect via an app.
It's available for preorder now for $50.
Embodied's investors include Amazon, Intel, Sony, and Toyota.
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California startup Embodied announced that it will release a new robot for children. Embodied calls the robot, Moxie, an "animate," because it's designed as a companion for children, capable of listening, interacting, and recognizing people. It's designed for children between five and 10 years old.

Embodied says it worked with child development experts to tailor Moxie specifically to the way children learn. A limited number of Moxie robots are available to preorder now for $50, with a full price of $1,500.

Embodied has raised a total of $41 million from companies like Amazon, Intel, Sony, and Toyota, Fast Company reported.

Here's how the robots work.

Moxie can process and respond to normal conversation patterns, even holding eye contact and responding with appropriate facial expressions.

Moxie_Embodied_Lifestyle_003 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

It's designed to be a companion to a child, while also helping them develop emotionally and cognitively.

Moxie_Embodied_Product 6 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

Every week, Moxie has a different theme, like friendship or empathy, and gives missions to the child to practice.

Moxie_Embodied_Lifestyle_007 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

Missions are all kinds of activities, like drawing, meditation, reading, or conversations with friends and parents.

Moxie_Embodied_Lifestyle_002 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

Moxie can recognize people and places, and over time personalizes goals and content for the child.

Moxie_Embodied_Lifestyle_001 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

It can also recognize objects, like books and drawings.

Moxie_Embodied_Lifestyle_004 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

Moxie is only 7 lbs, and 15 inches tall.

Moxie_Embodied_Product 2 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

Along with the $1,500 cost of Moxie itself, parents also need to buy a $60 a month subscription to the Moxie ecosystem.

Moxie_Embodied_Product 5 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

The subscription includes new mission, cloud storage data collected by Moxie, and an accompanying app for parents.

Moxie_Embodied_Product 4 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

In the app, parents can manage settings, get parenting tips, and even put in upcoming milestones like a first day of school so Moxie can help prepare the child.

Embodied Moxie — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

The app also has a dashboard that tracks development in different areas.

Sketches from designers at fuseproject, who also worked on Moxie, show the ideas that went into the final product.

D_20191022170433_00029 — Moxie robot. fuseproject

Design was as important as functionality, because Moxie has to appear friendly and approachable to children.

Image uploaded from iOS (7) — Moxie robot. fuseproject

The final model is short, with rounded features, for a cute friendly look kids won't be afraid of.

Moxie robots are now going into mass production.

Moxie production photos 3 — Moxie robot. Embodied

Plastic parts are molded and checked for quality.

Moxie production photos 1 — Moxie robot. Embodied

At the end, each robot is certified and ready to go.

Moxie production photos 2 — Moxie robot. Embodied

The first robots are slated to ship in the fall.

Moxie_Embodied_Product 1 — Moxie robot. Embodied Inc

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