A new startup called Familiar Machines & Magic just unveiled “Familiars” expressive, soft-coated quadruped robots designed for human connection, not factory work. These AI companions are built to interact emotionally and feel more alive around people. Each robot has 23 degrees of freedom for natural movement and runs entirely on on-device AI, meaning your interactions stay private without relying on the cloud. The company is targeting what it calls the $2.5 trillion “emotional work” market where robots could eventually provide companionship, comfort, and social interaction. #robots #robotics #futuretech #humantouch