Japanese company Casio, known for its G-Shock watches and calculators, is entering a new market with an unexpected product — a furry robot companion based on artificial intelligence, Moflin. The move is a strategic attempt by the company to find new sources of revenue amid the growing problem of loneliness and increasing demand for mental health products worldwide. This is reported by WSJ.
Moflin is an electronic pet, the name of which comes from the Japanese onomatopoeia word “mofu-mofu”, which describes something furry. The robot has a furry texture and can develop its own “personality” depending on how its owner interacts with it.
The key feature is that Moflin communicates not with words, but with squeaks and other sounds, which makes it look like a real animal. It also simulates breathing and charges in a special “nest” rather than through a regular cable.
Casio management admits that the market for watches and calculators is “mature,” so the company is actively looking for new areas for growth.
In Japan, the furry robot, which sells for about $400, is already popular — 10,000 units have been sold. About 45% of Japanese buyers bought it for “healing and comfort.”
Casio plans to start selling Moflin in the US and UK in October. By the end of March 2026, the company aims to sell 5,000 units in the US and 2,000 in the UK, and in the coming years, to reach global sales of 5 billion yen (approximately $34 million).