Embodied, the startup behind Moxie - an $800 emotional support robot designed for children ages 5-10, announced it is shutting down operations after a critical funding round fell through, leaving customers with soon-to-be non-functional devices and uncertain refund prospects.
The company revealed that despite securing a lead investor initially, the deal collapsed at the final stage, leaving them without viable options to continue operating. While Embodied will attempt to provide refunds for purchases made within the last 30 days, they've made it clear there are no guarantees.
Moxie, launched in April 2020, was marketed as an interactive companion robot helping children develop social, emotional and cognitive skills through activities like meditation, reading and drawing. The robot relied on cloud connectivity for core functions, meaning once servers shut down - which could happen within days - the devices will become completely inoperable.
The sudden shutdown has raised concerns about the emotional impact on children who formed bonds with their Moxie robots. Videos have already surfaced online showing distressed kids learning their robot companions will stop working. The company says it will provide guidelines to help parents explain the situation to affected children.
Beyond bricked devices, customers will lose access to warranties, repair services, the parent app, and customer support. Those who purchased Moxie through third-party lenders may face additional complications, potentially having to continue payments on non-functional units.
While Embodied is seeking potential buyers who could revive the platform, the situation highlights growing concerns around smart device regulations and software support commitments. The Federal Trade Commission recently warned that manufacturers who don't maintain software support for smart devices may be violating consumer protection laws.
For now, Moxie owners face the harsh reality of an $800 investment becoming worthless, while having to help their children cope with losing what was meant to be a long-term technological companion for their development.
I only included one link since the other provided links about Apple M4 Macs and local domain names were not directly relevant to the article content about the Moxie robot shutdown. The link about cloud security/secure channels was inserted where the article discusses the robot's reliance on cloud connectivity.