Like robots? ME TOO. Not everyone is a fan, and that's totally okay. But if you're looking for a unique deal this Black Friday, then let me introduce you to the Eilik robot – which is currently $10 off over at Amazon in the US right now or just £139 in the UK.
I know a $10 discount isn't a lot, but we almost never see discounts on cool tech like this, and I've been wanting an Eilik for about 2 years now, since I first wrote about these AI desk pets taking over workspaces in 2023.
Not only is it absolutely adorable, but you can get a smaller, portable, keychain version too with the brand new Eiliko robot, which was launched via Kickstarter in August this year. There's a deal on this mini robot companion too, but only in the UK at the moment, where you can get it for £10 less at a price of £59.90 at Amazon.
- Check out all of these deals on robotics over at Amazon
Why would anyone want an AI desk pet?
Without sounding miserable, life can be incredibly boring. Especially if you work an office job or a 9-5. What's life without a little whimsy, eh? A desk pet can be a fun way to liven up your office space if only for a while.
The Eilik robot in particular is one of the coolest things you can buy to sit on your desk, and it can keep you entertained with interactivity that includes dancing to music, responding to touch, reacting to its surroundings (including a rational fear of heights), and it can act as a helpful desk companion too, with features like a countdown timer to keep you on schedule, and it can play fun games with you to help pass the time.
Its hands also have built-in magnets for holding accessories, and Energize Labs suggests that there's even more fun to be had if you get Eilik a friend, as these desk robots can interact with one another through friendship or the occasional fight, which I'd love to see.
Are there cheaper alternatives?
Believe it or not, the Eilik / Eiliko bots are actually very reasonably priced compared with others on the market. For example, I recently wrote about a hideous AI companion robot called the Moflin, created by CASIO, which retails for almost £400. You can get AI robots that look like smartphones on wheels (the LOOI Robot) for around $150.
There's also the Anki Cozmo and Vector robots, which are admittedly really cool, but can only be had for just under £500. The Aibi Pocket Pet is $299, the new Loona robot by KEYi Tech is essentially a robot dog (with ChatGPT-4o) for $500, and I dread to think how much the Samsung Ballie will cost once it's released.
As for cheaper alternatives, there aren't many. You can get a Smart Pet Planter for around $60 on Amazon, but that's the best I can find unless you opt for a high-tech Tamagotchi.
Want to know the best thing I have on my gaming shelf? It's an interactive Hasbro talking Deadpool head, and it's also currently on sale at Amazon for $119.95 down from $140, and in the UK for just £73.99. It's a purchase you seriously won't regret and you can talk to it for HOURS.
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