Explainer · See the category

Companion robots: what does a body add to a smart speaker?

A face, a gesture or a response to touch can make a device more interesting to spend time with. The buying question is whether you want that physical interaction, and what equipment and services it needs to keep working.

By Michael McLaughlin · AI assisted

Illustration of two adults at a table with a fictional small companion robot and a smart speaker. — AI-generated illustration — not a product photograph.

A voice assistant and a tabletop companion, imagined.

A timer does not need paws. Google’s smart speakers already handle voice-controlled timers and compatible connected devices.¹ If those are the jobs you want done, adding a moving body needs a reason beyond making the device look friendlier.

Companion robots offer a different attraction: something to play with, watch or touch, as well as something that answers. The interaction itself can be the reason to own one.

But “companion” covers very different experiences. A robotic pet, a phone mounted on a moving base and a conversational tabletop device ask different things of their owners. Three examples show why the body and the service behind it deserve separate attention.

Touch, movement and conversation

Sony’s aibo ERS-1000 makes touch part of the interaction. Its guide describes petting the head, back or chin and touching the paw pads. Cameras and microphones also help it respond to its surroundings.² Its appeal is physical: there is something to approach and play with, and your touch becomes part of the exchange.

LOOI L-01 takes another route. Your phone supplies the screen, mounted on a small robot base; the maker describes gestures, movement and motion games. Check its supported-phone list before assuming an old phone in the drawer will do.³ It is an interesting proposition for someone who wants a desktop character and has a suitable phone to spare.

ElliQ is aimed at older adults and combines a tabletop body with a screen. The maker describes proactive conversation and activity suggestions, alongside reminders and communication features. Its FAQ limits current delivery and support to the United States, in English.⁴ Here, the experience depends heavily on the software’s choice of when and how to start an interaction.

The distinction matters. Motion can make an interaction expressive, but it does not establish better conversation. A reminder can be useful without a face. And a robot that starts talking while you are reading could be welcome company or an interruption. The person who will live with it should make that call, especially when it is being bought as a gift.

Which experience do you want?

Your main interest	What deserves a demonstration	What would change the choice
Voice commands and routine assistance	Your actual commands, language and connected devices	If a speaker already does the job, the robot needs another attraction
A pet-like machine to interact with	Touch responses, play and movement in a suitable space	Whether you enjoy the physical interaction even without a useful task
A character on your desk	Gestures, games and conversation with your intended phone	Whether the phone can stay with it and the interruptions suit your day
A device that initiates conversation	How it starts, continues and ends an exchange	Whether the intended user welcomes that style and can comfortably control it

These are ways to choose an experience, not rankings of intelligence. Try the interaction you expect to repeat, rather than the most impressive trick in a promotional clip.

LOOI makes the equipment question particularly concrete. Its support page says the base and phone work together, although the phone can be put aside for remote-control movement after pairing.⁵ Decide whether you want to dedicate a compatible phone to the character. Otherwise, taking your everyday phone out with you changes the arrangement you imagined leaving on the desk.

What continues after the purchase?

A robot’s hardware price may be only part of its ownership cost. LOOI’s current support page says no subscription is required.⁶ That is a useful published term, rather than a guarantee about every future service.

Sony’s Japanese aibo Basic Plan page lists ¥99,000 including tax for three years prepaid, separately from the robot. Its US cloud-plan documentation also distinguishes the robot from ongoing cloud features.⁷ Use the terms for the exact market and model you are considering; a price found in another country does not settle service eligibility at home.

ElliQ is leased through membership. As checked on October 25, 2026, the membership page lists US$59 monthly, or US$588 prepaid for a year, plus a US$249 initiation fee. The FAQ says the device works only with an active membership.⁸ That makes the continuing payment central to the purchase decision.

Before choosing a trial, clarify the return charge. ElliQ advertises a 30-day trial on its annual and 24-month plans, while the monthly plan excludes it. The sales page describes free returns, but the terms specify a US$49.99 return deduction.⁸ Ask what you would actually receive back if you returned the device.

A friendly face still needs clear controls

Consider what you would comfortably say near the device, who else shares the room and how to stop an interaction. Familiarity with its character should not substitute for understanding its settings.

LOOI provides a useful example. Its product page promotes local storage, but its August 2026 privacy policy describes voice processing by a cloud AI provider and cloud-stored conversation memory. It also describes controls for deleting that memory.⁹ Ask how the current app handles your information, rather than assuming a small robot keeps everything inside its body.

Check the service geography too. LOOI publishes shipping destinations across several regions, including Europe, Asia and South America, but a listed destination still needs an address-specific order and support check.¹⁰ ElliQ’s US limitation is much narrower. It also expressly says it is not an emergency device.⁴

Our recommendation is to start with a speaker when commands and routine assistance are the priority. Investigate a companion robot when its particular kind of interaction is something you actively want: petting aibo, playing with a desktop character, or welcoming a conversational service. Then price the complete arrangement, including the phone, membership and support it needs. The body earns its place when you enjoy what it lets you do together.

Sources and further reading

Google: timers on speakers and displays and voice control of connected devices.
Sony: ERS-1000 sensing and touch guide.
LOOI: L-01 product information and compatible devices.
ElliQ: FAQ and design and features.
LOOI: using the app and base.
LOOI: AI access and subscription terms.
Sony: Japan Basic Plan and US AI Cloud Plan FAQ.
ElliQ: membership offers, FAQ and terms, section 4. The trial-return wording differs between these documents.
LOOI: privacy policy, sections 2.4 and 2.5 and product-page storage wording. The policy describes cloud processing and storage beyond the product page’s local-storage summary.
LOOI: shipping policy.

Sources and claim notes

cp01: Google documents voice-controlled timers on smart speakers/displaysSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_support. Intro and timer sections; opening, source 1.
cp02: Google documents voice control of compatible devices added to its Home appSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_support. Intro, device categories; opening, source 1. Not all integrations/languages tested.
cp03: ERS-1000 supports interactions through head/back/chin/paw-pad touchReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_manual. Touch section; first example, source 2.
cp04: ERS-1000 uses cameras and microphones in sensing its surroundingsReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_manual. Audition/vision; first example, source 2. No safety guarantee or emotion-reading assertion.
cp05: LOOI L-01 is described as a phone-based desktop robot with gestures/movement and motion gamesReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Product title, biomimetic behavior, More Desktop Functions, model L-01; second example, source 3.
cp06: LOOI recommends iPhone 12+/iOS17+ or Android12+; performance qualifications applySource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_support. Recommendation bullets and compatibility notes; second example, source 3. Product table also specifies suitably capable Android hardware. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. LOOI-PHONES: Displayed November13,2025; recommendations31-35; notes39-48; product table corroboration253-257; LOOI-PRODUCT: Worry-Free Experience310-322; Find us in store325-330; phone table253-257. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp07: LOOI base and phone work together; paired remote-control movement can use phone set asideReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_support. January19,2026 answer; post-table paragraph, source 5. Does not establish full autonomous character function without phone.
cp08: LOOI support currently says no subscription requiredSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_support. November13,2025 Subscription paragraph, freshly accessed; ownership section, source 6. No perpetual-price guarantee; model-provider/version claim omitted. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. LOOI-SUBSCRIPTION: Displayed November13,2025; Subscription31. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp09: ElliQ targets older adults, describes proactive conversation/reminders, and limits current English service/shipping/support to USReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Fit, order, features, assistant comparison, international FAQs; third example and geography, source 4. No wellbeing outcome inferred. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. ELLIQ-FAQ: Fit38-43; features55-56,76-78; emergency64-65; international93-94; membership146-152. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp10: Current ElliQ design includes physical body, touchscreen and baseSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Smarter design and specifications; third example, source 4. No generation number assigned.
cp11: Japan aibo Basic Plan lists ¥99,000 tax-inclusive prepaid for three yearsSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Fees section; ownership section, source 7. Service price only, not hardware or import quote. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. SONY-JP-PLAN: Japan Basic Plan fees34-43; service52-64. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp12: US aibo cloud documentation describes ongoing cloud/app/update featuresSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_support. PDF p1 prose; ownership section, source 7. No current hardware price or checked matrix-cell inference. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. SONY-US-CLOUD: PDF p1 prose2-20. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp13: ElliQ monthly offer $59; annual prepaid $588; initiation $249Source(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Choose your membership and lease-initiation block; ownership section, source 8. US-facing offer; no total-tax/shipment claim. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. ELLIQ-OFFER: Membership90-103; leased-service111-112. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp14: ElliQ requires active membership; cancellation entails returnSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Cancellation FAQ; ownership section, source 8. Avoid exact return deadline due conflict below. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. ELLIQ-FAQ: Fit38-43; features55-56,76-78; emergency64-65; international93-94; membership146-152. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp17: LOOI Aug5,2026 policy describes cloud provider voice processing, cloud conversation-memory storage and deletion optionsReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_privacy_policy. Version1.1 sections2.4/2.5 and retention8; privacy paragraph, source 9. Provider statements, not independently audited practice. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. LOOI-PRIVACY: Version1.1 August5,2026; sections2.4/2.5 lines151-171; retention300-308. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp18: LOOI shipping policy lists destinations in Europe, Asia and South AmericaSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer_policy. Country table including UK/Germany, Singapore, Chile/Colombia; geography paragraph, source 10. Listed routes, not universal fulfillment or local warranty proof. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. LOOI-SHIPPING: Country table103-154; checkout/address/customs qualifications155-175,188-202. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp19: ElliQ explicitly says it is not an emergency deviceSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Original evidence label manufacturer. Emergency-device FAQ; controls section, source 4. No medical/clinical judgment. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. ELLIQ-FAQ: Fit38-43; features55-56,76-78; emergency64-65; international93-94; membership146-152. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp15 sales statement: ElliQ membership sales page describes free returns and selected 30-day trials on annual and 24-month plans, excluding monthly.ReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Document-account claim only. Actual refund policy remains unresolved against terms 4.1. Preserve both source accounts and original raw CP15 conflict record. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. ELLIQ-OFFER: Membership90-103; leased-service111-112. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp15 terms statement: ElliQ Terms of Use section 4.1 specifies a US$49.99 deduction from a trial-return refund.ReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Document-account claim only,not a guaranteed actual fee or legal-precedence determination. Preserve the sales alternative and unresolved policy record. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. ELLIQ-TERMS: Displayed update January1,2026; subscription73-74; trial80-82; renewal83-84; return85-90. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.
cp16 product statement: LOOI product page promotes local storage.ReportedSource(opens in a new tab)
Source context
Product-marketing account only,not all-local processing/retention assurance. Pair visibly with existing reported CP17policy account and retain the unresolved raw CP16 record. Release-day source check by AI agent /root/p7_b1_release_sources, completed 2026-10-30 00:25:55 UTC, publisher date 2026-10-29 (America/Lima). Full existing scoped assertion reproduced without meaning change. LOOI-PRODUCT: Worry-Free Experience310-322; Find us in store325-330; phone table253-257. Receipt: docs/production/2026-10-29/p7-b1-release-day-sources/source-receipts.json. Existing confidence and all limitations/conflicts retained; no implementation audit or personal verification by Michael implied.