Companion robots now include care companions for older adults, AI plush toys for children and home robots that call family. These figures and dated updates show what changed and what to ask.
~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.
UK seeks evidence on updating toy safety rules, with AI toys in scope
· Policy
The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards published a call for evidence on toy safety rules, open until October 6, 2026. It covers chemical safety, digital product passports and online marketplaces, as well as emerging risks from connected and AI-enabled toys, and invites parents, businesses and consumer groups to respond.
Why it matters: Rules written for choking hazards are being updated for toys with microphones and chatbots. Parents and schools should expect clearer duties on data and content for kids' robots sold in the UK.
Haivivi brings its BubblePal and CocoMate AI plush toys to US families
· Market
Shenzhen-based Haivivi launched its AI companion toys in the US through Amazon. BubblePal is a clip-on device that turns a plush doll into a talking companion that remembers a child's name and preferences, and the company says it has sold over 300,000 units. A new CocoMate line of smart plush toys joins it.
Why it matters: Screen-free AI toys are moving from China to US shelves. Review parental controls, memory settings and where voice data is processed before a child uses one alone.
Washington State Medicaid adds the ElliQ companion robot to in-home care plans
· Milestone
Washington's Medicaid program now lets eligible people receiving care at home get ElliQ through two long-term support programs, Roads to Community Living and Community First Choice. In the earlier state pilot, participants used ElliQ about 60 times a day and 95% reported feeling less lonely, according to Intuition Robotics.
Why it matters: Public payers are starting to fund care companions as part of in-home support. Families should ask their local aging agency or care manager whether a program covers one before buying privately.
People also search for companion robot news, latest companion robots, social robot news, elderly companion robot news, kids robot news and AI companion robot news.