Desktop pets, kids' robots, care companions and telepresence robots are entering homes, and buyers now ask harder questions about privacy. See what is changing, then choose with The Humanoid Group.
~300,000 plush Fuzozo AI companions sold in China by June 2026 (The AI Insider, 2026)
¥10.4B elderly care robot market in China, forecast for 2026 (Xinhua, 2026)
Tuya shows Doova, a rolling home companion for older adults who live alone
· Launch
Tuya Smart unveiled Doova at IFA 2026 in Berlin, a wheeled companion robot for seniors living independently. It chats through a multimodal language model, gives medication reminders, watches for falls with vision and lidar, and starts a two-way video call with family if a user does not respond within 60 seconds. Pricing was not announced.
Why it matters: Companions are adding safety checks such as fall alerts and family video calls. Before buying, agree with the older relative which rooms the camera may see and who receives alerts.
Nottingham trial links home telepresence robots to better strength and confidence
· Research
The University of Nottingham, working with Age UK Bristol, trialed telepresence robots in older people's homes. Researchers report the robots supported exercise sessions alongside social contact and could improve physical strength, balance, social interaction and confidence. The work is part of a wider project on barriers to adopting assistive robots in UK care.
Why it matters: Telepresence can do more than video calls: it can carry guided exercise and regular visits. A short rental or paid pilot through THG Flex lets a family test that routine before committing.
Robopoet raises $14.8M after its Fuzozo plush companion nears 300,000 sales
· Funding
Shanghai-based Robopoet closed a $14.8 million pre-A round that included Tuya Smart, HSG and GSR Ventures. Its Fuzozo, a plush AI companion with blinking eyes and conversation, reached nearly 300,000 cumulative sales in China by June 2026 and sold 40,000 units during the 618 shopping festival.
Why it matters: Low-cost plush companions are selling at volume, but most depend on a maker's cloud service. Check what still works offline and how long the company commits to support before buying.
Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety— European Union (EUR-Lex). EU safety law for consumer products; safety assessments now take in connected features, cybersecurity and learning functions.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30— European Union (EUR-Lex). Applies the privacy and network-security requirements of EU radio equipment law to connected devices, including toys.
WHO Commission on Social Connection— World Health Organization (WHO). WHO commission's work on loneliness and social isolation, with evidence on their health effects and on what helps.
Ageism in artificial intelligence for health— World Health Organization (WHO). WHO policy brief on how AI products can build in ageism, and legal and technical steps to prevent it.