We've heard this story before: a "company" launches a revolutionary "product", the "product" depends on servers in the "cloud", company collapses, cloud disappears, and product becomes a brick. The latest example? Moxie, the 'emotional support' robot with artificial intelligence, which the company Embodied announced in April 2020. Four and a half years later, Embodied announced its closure, and the poor $800 robot will become an inert totem.
We all know that applying technology appropriately can help with the "social, emotional, and cognitive development" of the little ones. These were the terms that Embodied used to introduce its Moxie robot in April 2020. With extensive use of artificial intelligence, the robot can learn certain characteristics of its young user, detect special patterns such as voice tone and facial expressions, and stimulate creative thinking and physical activity. The official presentation of Moxie during the pandemic was, in a word, adorable.
(Editor's note: I don't know how long the video will stay on YouTube)
Moxie: startups, artificial intelligence, and the 'hyper-dependence' on the cloud
But this won't last, or at least, that's what the company has said on its official page. Due to the impossibility of obtaining fresh funds to continue its operation (apparently the round fell through at the last minute), Embodied announced its definitive closure, which includes the interruption of the cloud services that Moxie needs to function properly. The company decided not to share a specific date, but added that it will try to keep them online for as long as possible. Still, it indicated that there will be no additional support of any kind, not even to answer questions. Warranties and repairs will also vanish into thin air.
As for refunds, Embodied will try to prioritize purchases made in the last 30 days, as long as the company finds a buyer. However, hope is the last thing to lose, and it's not too far-fetched to imagine an open source solution so that the Moxies can keep working, even with limited actions...
Sources: Embodied, Ars Technica
