萌友智能联合创始人兼CEO何嘉斌：一场AI陪伴的“非共识”商业实验，在年轻人桌上放下一个“未来宠物”

Core Insights - Ropet, an AI pet developed by Beijing Mengyou Intelligent Technology Co., aims to tap into the emotional companionship market, which is projected to exceed 100 billion yuan [2][6] - The company has adopted a "first overseas, then domestic" strategy, successfully launching Ropet on crowdfunding platforms in the U.S. and Japan before its domestic debut in 2025 [3][4] - Ropet's unique decision to forgo voice interaction distinguishes it from competitors, focusing instead on emotional value and tactile feedback to enhance user experience [5][7] Company Overview - Beijing Mengyou Intelligent Technology was founded in 2022, with a team that includes experienced professionals from major tech companies [2] - The company has completed three rounds of financing, with the latest A1 round raising several million yuan led by the Beijing AI Industry Investment Fund [1] Market Strategy - The initial launch of Ropet on international crowdfunding platforms has helped build a user base and gather feedback for product iteration [3] - The cautious approach to the domestic market aims to refine the product based on sales data and user feedback before a full-scale launch [4] Product Features - Ropet emphasizes emotional companionship through non-verbal interactions, utilizing soft textures and expressive features to create a sense of presence [7] - The device incorporates privacy measures, processing data locally to alleviate user concerns about data security [7] Industry Context - The AI toy market is rapidly growing, with expectations to surpass 100 billion yuan by 2030, driven by advancements in computing power and reduced training costs [6] - The AI companionship robot sector is still in its early stages, with many startups competing but few achieving significant sales [8] Competitive Landscape - Ropet faces competition from both emerging startups and established toy companies, which may enter the emotional companionship market leveraging their existing IP and customer bases [8][9] - The company views the entry of larger players as an opportunity to educate consumers and expand the market [10] Future Outlook - The focus for Mengyou Intelligent is on enhancing product experience and building a strong user community to leverage network effects [10] - The anticipated breakthrough in technology will come from advancements in edge computing and local intelligence, rather than improvements in voice interaction [11]