Robo-Companion Moxie to Go Dark, Leaving Families Heartbroken
After a promising start in 2020, the future of Moxie, the educational robot designed for young children, has come to an abrupt end. Embodied, the creator of the interactive robot, announced its closure, citing the failure to secure crucial funding. The news has left parents and children alike grappling with the reality of their pricy companion becoming inoperable.
Funding Falls Through, Closing the Doors on Embodied
In a statement on their website, Embodied explained the sudden closure was due to a “critical funding round” falling through. They had secured a lead investor who seemingly committed to backing the company but ultimately withdrew at the last minute. Despite exploring alternative options, Embodied was unable to find a replacement in time to keep the doors open.
While the company didn’t provide further details about the failed funding, it had previously attracted significant investment from prominent players like Intel Capital, Toyota AI Ventures, Amazon Alexa Fund, Sony Innovation Fund, and Vulcan Capital.
A Robot Designed for Connection
When Moxie launched in April 2020, Embodied marketed it as more than just a toy. They presented it as a “safe and engaging animate companion for children designed to help promote social, emotional, and cognitive development.”
The robot was envisioned as an interactive playmate, engaging children in educational activities built around child development best practices. Weekly themes like empathy, friendship, and respect were woven into its playtime, incorporating activities like meditation, reading, and drawing.
At the cost of $800, Moxie was positioned as an innovative tool for nurturing early childhood development. Yet, its existence is now drawing to a close, leaving many parents questioning the value of their investment.
The Looming ‘Bricking’ and Emotional Impact
Perhaps most heartbreaking is the looming
“bricking” of Moxie. Embodied has confirmed that the robot will cease to function due to its reliance on cloud connectivity.
While the exact date remains unknown, the company acknowledges it could be “within days.”
This sudden and unexpected shutdown has sparked concerns about the emotional toll it will take on children who have formed bonds with their robot companions. Embodied has pledged to provide guidance for parents on how to explain Moxie’s demise to their children. However, heartbreaking videos already circulating online show young children grappling with the shocking news of their robot friend ceasing to function.
