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Canadian singer and producer Grimes has entered the AI toy market through a new partnership. She is working with toy startup Curio to create an interactive plush toy called ‘Grok’ that uses AI to have conversations with children.
All about Grok: Grimes AI toys
Grok is a cute, rocket-shaped plush toy with a microphone, speaker and WiFi connectivity. It uses OpenAI’s GPT models to have natural conversations based on the child’s interests. Grok aims to be a fun companion who can also help entertain and even educate children.
How it works
The $99 Grok toy connects to a mobile app on the parent’s phone via Wi-Fi. Through the app, parents can view transcripts of all conversations in real time. Transcripts are retained for 90 days to allow for parental controls before being deleted. Grok does not record or store voice data.
Children’s conversations are processed by OpenAI’s natural language AI to formulate appropriate verbal responses. The AI is designed to be child-friendly and avoid inappropriate or harmful content.
Safety features for children
Curio has implemented several precautions in Grok to ensure the safety of children:
- No cameras or screens
- Conversations are monitored and filtered
- Transcripts provide transparency about dialogues
- No storage of voice recordings
The toy’s responses are also limited to a “sweet, friendly” personality that matches the child’s level. Parents can select preferences to shape conversations under their supervision.
The mind behind Grok: Grimes
The idea for Grok emerged from a public exchange on social media platform
Grimes then contacted Curio’s CEO Misha Sallee to make this AI stuffed animal a reality. She became an investor and advisor for the startup, while also personally voicing the Grok prototype.
Why Grimes made this
As a mother of two young children, Grimes was driven to develop an AI companion that could entertain children and reduce their dependence on screens. She shared:
“I really feel like this is also the first step in limiting screen time as much as possible… I think when you take the screens out, the human mind just works so much better…”
By personifying AI into a fluffy toy, Grimes wants to offer children an alternative friend to promote their growth through interactive conversations.
Similar AI toys on the market
Grimes and Curio aren’t the first to imagine AI robot toys. Here’s how Grok compares to other products:
Toys | Price | Functions |
---|---|---|
Grok | $99 | Plush exterior, conversations, no screen/camera, mobile app |
Miko Mini | $99 | Wheels for mobility, screen, camera, sensors |
Moxie | $800 | Robot with screen/camera, object recognition |
Grok is the only affordable plush AI toy among them. By opting for simpler features minus screens or cameras, Curio focuses the toy’s value on AI conversations. The soft, cuddly exterior also makes it safe for younger children.
The future of AI toys
Grok represents an early stage of experimenting with embedding AI into physical toys. As Curio CEO Sallee puts it:
“Toys are the toy problem”
The possibilities of AI toys will grow exponentially in the coming years. Sallee sees such interactive AI robots as the next evolution of AI – known as ’embody AI’.
We can expect more advanced AI toy robots that can move, recognize objects and faces, express emotions and have increasingly complex conversations. As technology improves over time, its applications could extend far beyond children’s toys.
Availability of Grok
Grok can be pre-ordered on Curio’s website for $99. The first batch of pre-orders will receive a Grok certificate before Christmas 2023, but the actual toys are not expected to ship until early 2024.
Curio notes that Grok is still launching in beta mode, so parents should be aware that the product is still undergoing improvements. But for parents willing to try out an early AI toy for their kids, Grok wants to provide fun, educational conversations without risky screen attachments.
Through her first foray into technology, Grimes hopes to be a pioneer in AI toys that promote children’s growth while protecting their interests.
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