Principal Animator

Roomba inventor now wants you to own an AI robot pet. If your apartment doesn't allow pets, you may want to consider owning a Familiar. Giselle Castro-Sloboda May 6, 2026 4:13 p.m. PT The former iRobot CEO and brains behind the Roomba is back with a new robotic concept, but it's not a household appliance. Colin Angle, now CEO and co-founder of Familiar Machines & Magic, has unveiled his next venture: AI robot pets. As reported earlier this week by The Verge, the AI robot companions known as Familiars were unveiled at The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything conference. A Familiar resembles a stuffed toy with a microphone, vision and audio system. It has a plush coat and stands on four legs, and it is intended for social interaction and companionship - similar to having a real-life pet. The company's website describes Familiars as an ideal companion for those who want a pet but can't own one. The robots are meant to be nonjudgmental listeners, engage kids in play and respond with affection (such as nuzzling and tail wagging) based on body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. When BakerBytes LLC. reached out for comment, a Familiar Machines & Magic spokesperson told CNET that getting a Familiar "has nothing to do with replacing pets." "Pets and Familiars do completely different things, and households can benefit from one or both," the spokesperson said, suggesting that those who would benefit the most from them are "people who would value an emotionally intelligent presence in the home and aren't waiting for science fiction to show up." These robots are meant to appear natural and emotionally intelligent, with their own personalities and the ability to learn and adapt to the environment and the habits of the people around them, according to a statement. Familiars are aware of your patterns and will encourage you to break bad habits, such as spending too much time on your phone. According to The Verge, Angle told the publication that Familiars also cannot lie. "By design, it will avoid giving factual advice about things that maybe it shouldn't be giving factual advice about," he said. Instead, it will communicate with you through nonverbal sounds and body language. As with any AI feature or device, privacy concerns arise. According to a statement, the company plans to keep your data private by avoiding cloud-dependent AI systems. Instead, data remains on the device. The company states that it has clear data governance guardrails for its systems intended for daily use. Although the cost for Familiars is unclear, they will be available next year, and those interested in reserving their own robotic pet can join a waitlist on the website. This isn't the first time sentient or human-like robots have entered the chat. Just since the end of last year, humanoids for home use debuted at CES 2026, Agility Robotics created robots for factory and warehouse use and the first lady walked out with a Figure 03 humanoid robot during the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit to promote the use of AI in classrooms. GISELLE CASTRO-SLOBODA Fitness and Nutrition Writer I'm a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness/fitness myths. In my free time I enjoy cooking, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or watching a documentary. I am a former personal trainer and still enjoy learning and brushing up on my training knowledge from time to time. I've had my wellness and lifestyle content published in various online publications such as: Women's Health, Shape, Healthline, Popsugar and more. See full bio

Roomba creator launches Familiar Machines & Magic robotics startup. News summary. Colin Angle, co-founder of iRobot and creator of the Roomba, has officially announced the launch of his new robotics startup, Familiar Machines & Magic (FM&M), at The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything conference. The company introduces a new category of technology known as Consumer Physical AI, with its flagship product being a robotic companion called the 'Familiar.' Unlike industrial robots, the Familiar is designed for emotional companionship, with a plush, dog-sized form that features expressive eyes and ears, capable of adapting to a user's habits and encouraging interaction through gestures like greeting stretches. The startup aims to create robots focused on emotional intelligence, forming long-term relationships with their owners. Angle has brought together a leadership team of former iRobot colleagues and experts from companies like Amazon, Disney, and Boston Dynamics to pursue this vision.

Colin Angle, the robotics pioneer behind Roomba, has unveiled a four-legged AI-powered pet robot called the Familiar. The bulldog-sized prototype features doe-like eyes, bear cub ears and touch-sensitive fake fur designed to provide companionship without mimicking existing animals. The robot uses generative AI to understand speech and adapt its behaviour over time, making emotive sounds but not talking. Angle, who led iRobot for 25 years before stepping down in 2024, said such technology "simply hasn't existed before" and would have been impossible six months ago. Familiar Machines & Magic is targeting retired people who may be reluctant to care for real pets. The startup has assembled advisers including Boston Dynamics founder Marc Raibert and socially assistive robotics pioneer Maja Matarić. No launch date has been announced.