Tombot, a robotics company based in California, has successfully completed a $6.1 million Series A funding round, which was oversubscribed. This funding round was led by Caduceus Capital Partners and included contributions from both new and existing investors.
Overview of Tombot’s Robotic Puppy
The company’s flagship product, a robotic puppy named Jennie, was designed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The primary goal of Jennie is to provide the emotional and health benefits associated with pet ownership, such as:
- Reducing stress
- Combating loneliness
This robotic puppy is specifically aimed at individuals with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and it can be used in various settings, including:
- Private homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Memory care communities
Features of the Robotic Puppy
Jennie is equipped with sensors that respond to:
- Touch
- Voice commands
- Movement
- Other sensory inputs
Additionally, the puppy is rechargeable and comes with an optional caregiver app that allows users to:
- Name the puppy
- Customize its functionality
- Track user interactions
Use of Funds
The funds raised will be allocated towards:
- Expanding Tombot’s team
- Finalizing engineering processes
- Completing regulatory and safety certifications
Tombot is preparing to deliver its first robotic pets to over 16,000 customers who have pre-ordered the product, along with those on a waitlist.
Market Context
According to Tombot’s CEO and co-founder, Tom Stevens, the company is addressing a significant need in the market:
“Over 300 million seniors around the world with dementia and mild cognitive impairment are unable to care for a live animal at a time when they need the companionship of a pet more than ever.”
Research Insights
A 2019 meta-analysis indicated that older adults in care homes who interacted with robotic pets experienced various health and quality-of-life benefits. However, the analysis also noted that:
- Not all seniors engage with robotic pets
- Some may actively dislike them
Other Robotics Companies
Other notable companies in the robotics sector include:
- Diligent Robotics, which produces the Moxi robot, designed to assist hospital staff with non-patient-facing tasks.
- Brain Navi, which developed a robot for autonomously performing nasal swab tests to minimize cross-infection risks.
- Omron Asia-Pacific, which launched the UVC-LD robot for disinfection purposes in various settings.