Takway has unveiled a new AI-powered virtual pet called Sweekar at CES 2026. The startup describes it as a next-generation digital companion designed to evolve over time and interact meaningfully with its user. The concept draws clear inspiration from the classic Tamagotchi toys that became a global phenomenon in the late 1990s.

Sweekar features an egg-shaped design with small ears and a built-in screen that displays its face. It comes in three color options: pink, yellow, and blue, and supports interchangeable shells and customizable outfits.

The device starts life in an egg form and requires a two-day incubation period before it hatches. After that, users must feed and care for it to keep it healthy. Sweekar progresses through four life stages: egg, baby, teen, and adult. It becomes more independent at each stage and no longer requires constant care once it reaches adulthood.

Takway has equipped the toy with an AI memory system that allows it to recognize the user’s voice, recall past activities, and adapt its personality based on interactions. The company says Sweekar can react with various moods, including happy, angry, sleepy, and mischievous. It can also go on virtual adventures and return with generated stories.

Once the pet reaches level 51, it becomes unkillable in a virtual sense, meaning it will continue to function without regular attention. However, the hardware still requires charging and physical care.

Sweekar uses a combination of Google Gemini and ChatGPT for its AI features. Takway claims that all user interactions remain private, although independent verification of data practices is not yet available.

According to Engadget, the company plans to launch Sweekar through a Kickstarter campaign in March. The expected price range is between $100 and $150, though final pricing may vary. Takway has not announced an exact release date.

In related news, Cocomo and INU robot pets also made their debut at CES 2026, signaling that AI-powered companion pets are moving beyond science fiction and into real products.

You can check out our complete CES 2026 coverage here.

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As artificial intelligence continues to weave itself into everyday life, a new category of technology is quietly reshaping how humans think about companionship: AI pets. For many, the idea evokes memories of iconic fictional companions like BB-8 from Star Wars, a droid that felt less like a machine and more like a loyal friend.

BB-8’s personality was intentionally designed to mirror the charm of a curious puppy, reinforcing how deeply emotional bonds with robots can resonate with people. Today, real-world companion robots are beginning to chase that same sense of warmth, presence, and connection.

At CES 2026, this shift was on full display as Japanese startup Ludens AI introduced two deeply expressive companion robots: Cocomo and Inu, signaling a world where digital companionship may soon feel as natural as living with a pet.

Ludens AI’s philosophy is refreshingly different from the growing trend of “smart helpers.” Instead of building robots that clean or organize, the company focuses on machines that listen, react, and bond emotionally over time. Their message is simple: AI companions don’t need jobs, they just need to exist alongside people.

Cocomo: A Warm, Mobile Robot Pet Designed for Emotional Bonding

Cocomo, the star of Ludens AI’s showcase, is positioned as an autonomous robot pet that follows its owner around the home. With a wheeled chassis, ear-like decorations, and an orange, teddy-bear-like exterior, Cocomo feels intentionally playful and approachable. Its body temperature is carefully maintained near human warmth, around 37°C in normal use and up to 39°C during frequent touch, eliminating the cold, mechanical feel often associated with robots.

Instead of speaking, Cocomo communicates through humming and soft sounds, reinforcing its pet-like character. Over time, it learns what makes its owner happy, what brings comfort, and when to offer spontaneous gestures or gentle surprises. Through voice, touch, and movement-based interactions, Cocomo is designed to create a slow-growing emotional bond rather than instant novelty. Ludens AI describes it as a companion meant to evolve alongside everyday life, a robot that remembers, imitates, and adapts.

Inu: A Minimalist “Desktop Alien Puppy” for Workspaces

In contrast, Inu is a smaller, stationary desktop companion created for work environments. Marketed as a “desktop alien puppy,” it reacts to voice, touch, and nearby sounds with playful tail wags and expressive blinking eye animations. Inu doesn’t move around rooms; instead, it offers light emotional presence while users work, serving as a gentle, comforting desk companion rather than a task-oriented assistant.

Both Cocomo and Inu highlight Ludens AI’s belief that robots don’t need to be useful in a traditional sense; they simply need to be present, warm, and emotionally engaging. With crowdfunding campaigns planned later this year, these companions may soon enter real homes and offices.

A New Kind of Emotional Technology

The debut of Ludens AI’s robots signals a broader cultural shift, from machines as tools to machines as companions. As emotional AI continues to develop, Cocomo and Inu suggest a future where companionship may extend beyond pets and people, into a new world of soft-spoken, expressive, and deeply personal robotic presence.

Read More:

• China Sells Humanoid Robot for the Price of an iPhone
• Humanoid robot’s hilarious mishap goes viral: kicks trainer and mimics the pain
• AI Learns to Pilot a Space Robot : Navigates the International Space Station Faster

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