Companion Robots

Buying advice

Check which company stands behind older names

This page lists Anki-branded Cozmo and Vector next to Digital Dream Labs versions of the same robots, so check which one you are buying and which company runs its app and servers today. A lower price on an older unit is only a bargain if the features you want still work with the phones and tablets your household uses today. Ask the seller for the production date, whether the unit has been refurbished and what warranty comes with it. At the October 2026 check, price tags ran from the Chippies at about $30 to the Cutii at about $20,000, and just one had no published price.

Know your rights before you pay

Companion robots depend on software, and buying from a seller inside the EU brings legal protection on that front. Directive (EU) 2019/771 on the sale of goods covers goods with digital elements and makes the seller responsible for supplying the updates needed to keep them in conformity for a period the buyer can reasonably expect. That right matters most on a robot whose features live in an app. For children's robots in the United States, the COPPA Rule in 16 CFR Part 312 requires verifiable parental consent before an online service collects a child's personal information, so check how the app handles consent before you buy.

Shared care robots spread their cost

In a care home or day centre, one robot can serve many residents, which changes the sums. A comfort robot such as Paro Seal, shared across a lounge, may cost less per resident than devices bought for each room, but it needs cleaning between users, charging, storage and a member of staff who knows when to bring it out. Ask the maker for cleaning guidance and what the warranty says about shared use, then price the staff time alongside the device. For someone living at home, compare a personal companion with the other support that person already receives, such as calls or visits.

What to look for

• Subscription or cloud fees on top of the purchase price
• Spare parts, battery life and how long updates continue
• Age guidance and privacy settings for cameras and microphones

Common questions

Do companion robots have ongoing costs?

Some do. Certain features rely on a paid app or cloud service, so read the maker's terms alongside the purchase price.

Which companion robots suit older adults?

Look at the robots built for later life, such as ElliQ, Cutii and Hyodol, alongside the Paro seal used in care settings. Compare the voice, language and reminder features each one offers.

Sources and further reading

• 16 CFR Part 312: Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule — eCFR, US Government Publishing Office.
  The US COPPA Rule on parental consent and data handling for online services aimed at children.
• Directive (EU) 2019/771 on contracts for the sale of goods — EUR-Lex, European Union.
  EU rules on the seller's legal guarantee, including updates for goods with digital elements.