Casio made a furry robot designed to cuddle and calm you down

Casio has opened preorders for its robotic pet, Moflin, which resembles a cross between a hamster and Star Trek's Tribbles. Unlike Sony's Aibo, Moflin is designed to be held and cuddled, and over time, it will learn who you are and attempt to develop a simulated bond. Moflin can be preordered for around $398 USD and is expected to be available starting on November 7th. Casio is also offering an optional subscription service called Club Moflin for around $44 USD per year, which includes discounts on repairs, cleanings, and fur replacement. Moflin is not designed to be a play toy, but rather a comforting companion to help improve mental wellness. While being held, Moflin's limited movements are meant to simulate snuggling, and it will respond with unique sounds and movements to its primary caregiver. Moflin is supposed to learn to recognize its primary caregiver through their voice and handling, and it will develop its own simulated feelings and personality over time. The robot's emotional state can be determined through an app, which can also be used to adjust the volume of its sounds. Moflin comes with its own bed for charging, and Casio estimates the battery life on a full charge will be around five hours.