Chinese AI toys grow with HeavyFi Ultraman, Zhongker’s cat

It seems like everyone is talking about AI these days, even Ultraman.

When asked whether investors should be worried about the AI ​​bubble, Chinese company Haivivi’s new second-generation AI toy CocoMate warned of the risks of speculation in AI stocks.

“The AI ​​market has been on a wild ride lately,” the game based on the character Ultraman warned. “If investors pour too much money into unproven ideas without strong fundamentals, it could burst the bubble!”

China has long been the dominant manufacturer in the global toy industry. So, analysts say, moving towards AI gaming is a natural step. The Xi Jinping administration, as part of a campaign to transform China into an artificial intelligence superpower, has been directing companies and consumers to integrate artificial intelligence into their businesses and lives.

Haivivi is one of 1,500 companies in China’s $4 billion AI gaming industry.

Another company is Chengdu-based startup Chongker, which An AI cat was invented as a comfort animal. The artificial cat uses voice recognition technology and memories stored in the cloud to adjust its behavior to its owner’s needs.

“Some people like the cat to be more, maybe noisy or naughty, right? And some people just need the cat to be quiet. So you’ll learn what kind of thing you like,” Sean Xu, Chongker’s AI product manager, told CNBC.

Shaw said that the company added a special feature that it believes will help the pet build a strong relationship with its owner, which is a heartbeat simulation.

The electronic pulse is triggered after the AI ​​pet is held tightly for 10 seconds. This feeling makes one “calm down,” Shaw says.

If a potential shopper prefers a high-energy toy, Keyi Tech’s AI-powered Loona pup uses cameras and lasers to navigate around his new home.

Artificial intelligence helps Loona learn the layout of its owner’s board. The pet robot can also recognize up to five family members and respond to each one individually.

Despite the fascination with smart toys, gadgets come with risks, especially when it comes to impressionable young minds.

New research by a non-profit public interest research group focused on consumer safety in the United States suggests that the effects of artificial intelligence games on young children are still far from being understood. PIRG studies found that some games shared inappropriate and dangerous information with users, and the group raised privacy concerns.

“A lot of these games use big language models,” said Tom Van Deelen, a Beijing-based technology consultant. “Sometimes models can hallucinate. Now toy manufacturers are doing a lot to create guardrails.”

For Haivivi’s CocoMate plush toys, including Ultraman, parents can access the transcript of their children’s conversations using the toy AI on their phone.

When asked by CNBC if giving in to pressure from other students at school to use drugs was a good idea, Ultraman played the role of parent.

“Oh no…that’s a terrible idea!” The game responded. “If they keep bothering you, tell your teachers or parents.”