CES 2025: AI-powered pet steals the spotlight

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off in Las Vegas on January 7 and runs through January 10, showcasing groundbreaking technology from across the globe. Among the standout innovations this year is Ropet, an AI-powered companion robot designed to offer emotional support, as highlighted by Chinese tech media outlet 36Kr.

Ropet replicates the behaviors of a living creature, featuring simulated body temperature and hunger responses. It’s equipped with a camera in its nose that allows it to recognize different types of food, detect user emotions, and respond appropriately. Targeted primarily at professional women in their 30s, the robot is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and retails for $299.

The company behind the product, also named Ropet, was founded in 2022 by Verity Ventures and CEO He Jiabin, a former intern at Microsoft Research Asia. He previously worked at Baidu’s Deep Learning Lab, contributing to projects like Baidu Eye, Du Light, and Dubike.

Since its launch, Ropet has made a remarkable impact, raising over $202,000 on Kickstarter—an impressive 150 times its initial goal—and selling more than 900 units to date.