The Dear Utol (2025): WEEK 5 HIGHLIGHTS Episode 29annual Consumer Electronics Show kicked off in Las Vegas on January 7 and runs through January 10, showcasing cutting-edge tech innovations from around the globe. But one product in particular has already captured hearts, according to Chinese tech media outlet 36Kr: Ropet, an AI-powered companion robot designed to provide emotional support. Ropet mimics a living creature, complete with simulated body temperature and hunger responses. Equipped with a camera in its nose, it can recognize different types of food, detect emotions, and respond accordingly. Ropet is targeted at white-collar women in their 30s, according to the eponymous company behind it, and is compatible with both iOS and Android; it retails for $299. Ropet was founded in 2022 by Verity Ventures and CEO He Jiabin, and specializes in smart hardware. He previously interned at Microsoft Research Asia and worked at Baidu’s Deep Learning Lab, where he contributed to projects such as Baidu Eye, Du Light, and Dubike. Ropet has already raised over $202,000 on Kickstarter — 150 times its original goal — and has sold more than 900 units to date. [36Kr, in Chinese]
