The creator of iRobot is developing a new type of robot for the home.
And it could include furry pets.
Colin Angle, one of the co-founders of iRobot and its CEO for 30 years, is starting a new project in the field of robotics called Familiar Machines & Magic. Reports indicate that the new company is focused on developing an innovative type of home robot centered on health and wellness, which could take the form of an animal or a “familiar.” At this stage, the company is operating in stealth mode and involves Chris Jones, former CTO of iRobot, as well as Ira Renfrew, who left iRobot to pursue robotics at Amazon, including the now-discontinued delivery robot Scout.
Before leaving iRobot, Angle was dedicated to making Roomba robotic vacuums the backbone of smart homes. However, his departure followed the failed sale of the company to Amazon in January of this year. Subsequently, iRobot has had to cut its research and development budget, lay off nearly 50% of its workforce, and has decided to refocus its business on home cleaning machines.
The new company has managed to raise $15 million from eight investors and is seeking an additional $15 million. A job posting available on LinkedIn describes Familiar Machines & Magic as a “well-funded, early-stage startup in artificial intelligence and robotics located in the Boston area.”
This shift in Angle's focus is notable, moving from practical to personal applications. So far, robots that perform specific tasks, such as vacuums, litter boxes, and lawnmowers, have had greater success compared to “companion robots.” Examples like Jibo, Moxie, and Anki are just a few of the devices that have failed over the years.
Nonetheless, advancements in generative artificial intelligence could open new opportunities in this space. These technologies could make robots like the endearing Lovot or Sony's recently revived Aibo appear more human-like, able to hold conversations, and more useful than just being adorable.
For instance, Israeli startup Intuition Robotics has been developing ElliQ, an AI-powered social robot designed to provide companionship to elderly or mobility-impaired individuals since 2017. I have tried several versions of this tabletop robot, and its third-generation model, which incorporates generative AI, is much more realistic and appealing. It remains to be seen what kind of magic Angle will bring with his “Familiars.” One investor has mentioned the idea of “furry pets to combat loneliness.” However, a combination of personality and utility that positively impacts the health and well-being of household members seems like a good starting point.