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Discovering AI Toys Trends from XiaoHongShus Companion Robots

China AI Search12 min readxiaohongshu
#xiaohongshu#toys

The world of toys is undergoing a fascinating transformation, driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence. What once seemed like science fiction is now becoming a delightful reality in our homes and on our desks. On XiaoHongShu, China's incredibly popular lifestyle and content-sharing platform (think Instagram meets Pinterest for lifestyle and product discovery), "AI toys" are a buzzing topic. Users are sharing their experiences with these intelligent companions, revealing a vibrant market filled with innovation, emotional connection, and endless fun. Let's dive into the latest trends and specific AI toys capturing hearts on XiaoHongShu, showcasing how these smart gadgets are redefining play and companionship.

The New Era of Companionship – AI Desktop Robots

Among the most talked-about AI toys are the compact and highly interactive desktop robots. These aren't just static figures; they're lively personalities designed for constant companionship.

Aibi, often called a "pocket pet," is developed by Living AI. About the size of a Bluetooth earphone case, its cuteness and portability for on-the-go companionship are frequently highlighted.

Aibi Pocket Pet: AI Desktop CompanionAibi Pocket Pet: AI Desktop Companion

Other popular AI desktop robots like EMO, Vector, Eilik, and RUX have also gained significant traction. All products of innovative Chinese companies, they boast substantial overseas sales and offer a range of interactive features.

5 Desktop AI Robot Comparison5 Desktop AI Robot Comparison

The XGO-Rider from a Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) startup stands out as a unique "desktop dual-wheel AI robot." It combines wheeled flexibility with legged adaptability, offering AI interaction, programming learning, and various applications. It aims to make robot technology more accessible.

XGO-Rider: Desktop Dual-Wheel AI RobotXGO-Rider: Desktop Dual-Wheel AI Robot

For those who enjoy a bit of playful mischief, the Boxer Robot is described as a "老六" (lǎo liù), a colloquial Chinese term for a mischievous but fun-loving character, promising lively and unpredictable interactions.

Lifelike Bonds – AI Pet Robots

For animal lovers, AI pet robots offer a new dimension of emotional companionship.

The Fuzai (芙崽) AI Pet is a prime example, praised for its realistic, fluffy feel, soft rubber body, and lifelike weight. Its expressive eyes and deep interactive features, including "maomao language" (animal-like vocalizations) and Chinese dialogue, create an immersive experience. Fuzai is also highly customizable, allowing users to adjust settings and offers app functionalities, making it a favorite among AI pet enthusiasts.

Fuzai Robot Pet: Uncut Interaction DemoFuzai Robot Pet: Uncut Interaction Demo

Other notable mentions include the Loona Robot Dog, providing an engaging pet experience, and the Alpha Robot Dog (BabyAlpha). The Alpha Robot Dog is highlighted for bringing sci-fi concepts into daily life, serving as a smart home companion and a source of happiness.

Loona Robot: Reacting to Food InteractionLoona Robot: Reacting to Food Interaction

AI Robot Pet: From Sci-Fi to Daily LifeAI Robot Pet: From Sci-Fi to Daily Life

These AI pets bridge the gap between technology and emotional connection, showcasing the future of pet ownership.

Beyond Pets – Intelligent Dolls & IP Integration

The innovation in AI toys extends beyond traditional robots and pets to intelligent dolls and integrated intellectual property (IP) characters, bringing beloved figures to life with advanced conversation.

A standout is the Talking Tom Cat AI Robot. This sophisticated emotional companion merges AI technology with the cherished "Talking Tom Cat" IP. It uses a hybrid AI architecture, integrating various large language models (LLMs) like ByteDance's Doubao (a leading Chinese LLM, similar to GPT), allowing for flexible, intelligent, and context-aware responses.

Its functionality is diverse:

  • Emotional Companionship: Recognizes emotions, initiates conversations, and supports continuous dialogue.
  • Knowledge Q&A: Offers encyclopedia answers, children's questions, songs, stories, and educational games.
  • Anthropomorphic Interactions: Mimics Tom Cat's appearance with skin-feel silicone. Its head tracks sounds, ears and mouth are expressive, and it has over 20 expressions with arm movements and touch sensors for realistic interaction.

Designed for family companionship, it supports children's learning and entertainment, and provides emotional support and daily chat for the elderly.

Talking Tom Cat AI RobotTalking Tom Cat AI Robot

ByteDance, a major tech giant, also entered this space with its AI companion doll, "Xianyanbao" (显眼包). This toy integrates large language models like Doubao into a traditional doll, aiming to give "life" to toys through advanced AI conversation.

AI Meets ToysAI Meets Toys

The RAGUS AI Toy recently showcased its first public boot-up video, hinting at its potential as a new and exciting entrant.

RAGUS Robot: First Power-On DemoRAGUS Robot: First Power-On Demo

The upcoming AI Barbie Doll from OpenAI and Mattel further signals a clear trend: beloved global brands integrating cutting-edge AI to redefine traditional toys.

Why AI Toys Are Trending – Key Insights

The surge in AI toy popularity on XiaoHongShu signals a significant shift in interactive technology. Here are key insights:

  • Global Trend, Chinese Innovation: AI toys are a worldwide phenomenon. Many popular AI desktop robots, even those with strong overseas sales, originate from Chinese companies, highlighting China's innovation in this sector.
  • LLM Integration is Key: Advanced AI toys are powered by large language models (LLMs) like GPT or ByteDance's Doubao. This enables intelligent conversation, emotional recognition, and vast knowledge. Look for toys highlighting their AI model.
  • Beyond Simple Play: Deep Companionship: These are more than gadgets. They offer emotional companionship, act as learning aids, and provide entertainment for all ages, from children to the elderly.
  • Physicality & Responsiveness: Tactile feedback (skin-feel silicone), realistic weight, and anthropomorphic movements (expressive eyes, moving mouths) enhance the immersive experience.
  • Customization & App Integration: Many modern AI toys offer extensive personalization via companion apps, allowing users to tailor settings and interactions.
  • Academic & Tech Giant Engagement: Institutions like Harbin Institute of Technology are feeding cutting-edge research into products (e.g., XGO-Rider). Major tech companies like ByteDance are seriously entering the market, underscoring its strategic importance. "桌面机器人" (desktop robots) are particularly gaining momentum.
  • Robust Market Growth: The market is thriving, with significant revenue generation, indicating continuous innovation and strong profitability.

Conclusion

From adorable pocket companions to lifelike pet robots and intelligent IP-driven dolls, the world of AI toys is rapidly evolving. They are more than just playthings; they are becoming integral parts of our lives, offering companionship, education, and entertainment. The insights from XiaoHongShu clearly paint a picture of a vibrant, innovative, and globally impactful market. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a parent, or simply looking for a new kind of companion, the future of AI toys is here, and it's incredibly exciting. Explore the fascinating world of AI toys and discover your next smart playmate!

For more visuals and a closer look at some of these incredible AI toys, please see the image gallery below.

Image Gallery

All images from the trending posts that inspired this article:


This article is based on trending content from XiaoHongShu. View the original search results and detailed analysis to explore the individual posts and community insights that inspired this piece.

2211 words9 imagesBased on 20 social media posts
Published: 6/22/2025