Moxie the robot wasn’t only for autistic kids, but it was marketed as a great companion and tool for them.
The company, Embodied, promised that for about $800, the new toy would use AI and its library of programs to help autistic kids practice social and conversational skills and emotional regulation, among other skills.
The company’s FAQ page shows that customers were worried about potentially being spied on by the technology, whether it would scare their kids, and whether AI might harm children. They didn’t consider that the device might go into a complete shutdown after they shelled out all that cash and that no refunds would be available.
Moxie Isn’t Just A Toy, It’s A Companion
That’s what Embodied says, anyway. It’s a “supportive robot friend for kids that loves learning about their interests and hearing about their day.”
The toy — pardon, the companion — launched in 2020, so early adopters have been playing with it for years. However, as recently as this Spring, Moxie was still making headlines and appearing in lists of cool tech toys, including getting a mention from SyFy.
Any parents who have picked the device up since then, especially if they tucked it away for Christmas, are probably pretty unhappy right now.
Current users in internet forums have been reporting the devices are starting to glitch as their tech support disappears and the company prepares for a complete shutdown.
The Company Is In A Financial Collapse
In June, Embodied was sharing with potential customers that the Moxie robot had been a winner of the 2024 AI Breakthrough Awards and that the MoxiePro version was being made available for classrooms.
However, since then, necessary funding has fallen through, and the company is not only shutting down but won’t be able to offer refunds. Their latest (undated) announcement says:
“We had secured a lead investor who was prepared to close the round. However, at the last minute, they withdrew leaving us with no viable options to continue operations….We don’t know the exact date when services will cease. It is likely to happen within days. However, we are exploring options to keep Moxie operational for as long as possible, although we cannot provide any guarantees.”
This doesn’t just mean that would-be customers can’t buy a Moxie robot and current customers can’t reach tech support though. Embodied goes on to explain that the toy only functions with cloud connectivity — when it’s gone, the robots will be nothing more than really cute, really expensive paperweights.
The Emotional Impact
Imagine, as a parent, explaining to your kid why the robot he’s grown attached to that you said was his new buddy that helped him practice conversations and hung on his every word is now a blank slate.
Okay, that’s the sort of conversation we sign on for as parents — toys break, friends move away, and we even have to have conversations about pets and loved ones dying. But it’s not an experience anyone probably thought they were signing up for when they bought a hot new tech toy that’s winning awards and costs more than some of our car payments.
It’s also not an experience parents thought they were about to put their kids through, and several have turned to social media to share their frustration and vent about their kids’ disappointment. (I won’t share the TikTok videos of sad kids learning that their robot friend is “dying,” but they’re out there if you choose to see them.)
Just How Amazing Was Moxie, Anyway?
Check out this ad from the company.
Now parents on internet forums say they’re scrambling to find something comparable before Christmas — but many of the most similar toys have a monthly subscription price to keep functioning.
That’s better than just shutting down, but it’s a hefty cost, just the same. For instance, the Fawn robot offers a starter pack — the plush toy and 4 months of subscription for about $500.
But parents are wary of investing now. After all, will another company’s AI toy last or suffer a fate similar to Moxie? And what’s the price guarantee after those four months? Also, when will the Fawn robot, Willow, actually show up? Not in time for Christmas. The company’s delivery page explains:
“Willow communicates with in two ways: Willow Chat, where kids talk to Willow via text message, and Willow Robot, where kids talk to her in person. Willow Chat is delivered immediately upon your order, while Willow Robot is delivered when a robot becomes available….Orders are expected to start shipping in early 2025.”
In short, Moxie may have been ahead of his time, and many kids and parents will be disappointed for it. Furthermore, thanks to the marketing, it’s likely that a disproportionate number of those kids will be neurodivergent ones who already struggle with emotional regulation and transition.
Ouch.
