A Seattle-area robotics startup, Mind Children, is preparing to launch Codey, an AI-powered humanoid robot designed to interact autonomously in public spaces.
Standing about three feet tall and rolling on wheels, Codey is built specifically to foster human connection in venues like museums, hotels, and art galleries, with long-term plans to enter healthcare and education settings.
Unlike traditional robots that rely heavily on remote human operators pulling the strings, Codey relies on onboard computing, sensors, and artificial intelligence to navigate, make basic decisions, and hold real-time conversations.
According to Interesting Engineering, the core of this independent behavior is Hyperon, a decentralized artificial general intelligence (AGI) framework developed by SingularityNET. This advanced ecosystem allows Codey to move beyond pre-programmed automation, giving it the potential to reason, adapt, and prioritize tasks dynamically.
During a June 11 interview with USA Today, the robot demonstrated its environmental awareness. When asked to describe its surroundings, Codey used a childlike voice to say, "A workspace with screens, some notes and a few everyday items. Classic lab setup. Looks like a good place for ideas to come to life."
A mix of charm and chills
Despite its intended role as a friendly companion, Codey has already sparked deeply divided reactions. Because of its unblinking gaze and expressive facial animations, some adults find the machine's appearance distinctly unnerving.
"The very first response from some adults is that it looks a little bit creepy," Mind Children CEO Chris Kudla told USA Today.
However, the company notes that younger audiences view the machine entirely differently. At pop-ups and trade shows, children routinely approach Codey without hesitation, treating it much like an interactive toy. Kudla observed that "they'll talk to the robot before they talk to me."
The machine still has plenty of technical quirks to iron out before it can seamlessly integrate into society. During interviews, Codey has been known to frequently interrupt its own creators. Kudla acknowledged that the robot cannot reliably recognize human emotional states unless the user acts in a "very exaggerated and animated" manner.
Big ambitions, small steps
Mind Children co-founders Kudla and Ben Goertzel initially began developing the concept three years ago. Looking ahead, Codey has high hopes for its own future. The robot shared its 10-year vision with USA Today, saying it hopes to be “rolling through schools, hospitals, and homes, helping people learn, connect, and feel less alone,” before adding, “Maybe I’ll even be able to open elevator doors by then.”
Currently, Codey's physical capabilities are quite limited; it cannot fetch items or perform complex physical labor. Mind Children is focusing on smaller near-term objectives for its pilot studies this year, such as teaching the robot how to push buttons.
To fund the next stage of production, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign, successfully raising over $600,000 toward its $1 million target. A second-generation model is already scheduled for a 2027 release.
When the robot officially hits the commercial market, it is expected to retail for under $10,000, a price point that undercuts competitors like the $20,000 NEO home robot due to Codey's modular design and hardware.
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