Roomba Creator Unveils AI Robot Built for Human Connection

After helping put robot vacuums in millions of homes, the mind behind the Roomba is back, this time with a robot that doesn’t clean your floors but aims to connect with you.

Colin Angle, the longtime leader of iRobot, has unveiled a new venture called Familiar Machines & Magic (FM&M), introducing a four-legged AI companion designed to feel less like a machine and more like a presence in your life.

Speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything conference, Angle positioned his new company as a shift away from task-driven robots toward what he calls Artificial Life. “The next era of robotics is not just about dexterity or humanoid form — it’s about machines that can build and sustain human connection,” Angle said in a company press release.

The startup’s core idea revolves around “Familiars,” physically embodied AI systems that can perceive their surroundings, learn from interactions, and develop what the company describes as a distinct personality over time. Unlike traditional robots built to perform chores, these systems are designed for interaction, emotional awareness, and long-term engagement.

The prototype revealed is a quadruped robot, roughly the size of a medium dog, with expressive movements and a soft, touch-sensitive coat. It doesn’t speak. Instead, it communicates through motion, behavior, and subtle sounds, much like a pet. 

The robot is equipped with cameras, microphones, and onboard AI that processes information locally rather than relying heavily on the cloud. It can recognize people, respond to body language, and adapt its behavior based on past interactions.

Why not humanoids?

While much of the robotics industry is pouring billions into humanoid machines, Angle is deliberately taking a different path.

“Guess what I’m not building? Humanoids. I’m sure you’re shocked by this revelation,” he said, per TechRadar.

Angle argues that humanoid robots set unrealistic expectations for what machines can currently do, especially in the home. Instead, FM&M’s approach leans into simpler, more relatable forms, ones that prioritize emotional interaction over physical capability.

He believes that half of the projected $5 trillion robotics market belongs to companions. By avoiding a humanoid shape, he hopes to manage expectations. A robot that looks like a person is expected to do everything a person can do; a robot that looks like a “Familiar” just needs to be a supportive presence.

Why it matters now

The history of companion robots is filled with “e-waste carcasses, including Sony’s Aibo, Ugobe’s sauropod Pleo and the souped-up smart speaker known as Jibo,” according to The Wall Street Journal. But Angle believes the timing is finally right. With loneliness being declared a public health emergency and advancements in reinforcement learning making robot movement more fluid, the Familiar is positioned as a tool for wellness and elder care.

While price and a specific release date haven’t been locked in, Angle suggested the cost would be manageable for most families. “This is not something that is designed only for the highest bracket income. If you can afford a pet, you can afford this,” Angle told TechRadar.

Also read: Quadruped robots now available to buy include models for inspection, education, research, and industrial fieldwork.