- Ecovacs branched out from Robovacs with an AI-powered animatronic dog
- “LilMilo” is designed to be an emotional robot companion
- He can recognize you, know your habits and react to caresses
Ecovacs is a brand best known for its robot vacuum cleaners, but it just unveiled something quite different at CES 2026: its first “emotional companion” robot. The LilMilo Famibot looks like a puppy, and through the magic of AI, he acts like one, too. Without the complicated elements, obviously.
It may look a bit like a stuffed toy from the photos, but in person Milo is incredibly realistic in his mannerisms. So much so that during my visit to the CES booth, I accidentally spent 10 minutes petting him and left crying a little. I blame the time difference.
LilMilo has a camera in his nose, which allows him to recognize its owner and hear your voice using a microphone placed in his ear. Adorably, the charging station is shaped like a dog bed.
The demo model shown could follow me with its eyes and responded to my petting with a satisfied face and wagging tail. Over time, I’m told it will adapt to your habits and develop its own AI-powered personality.
There are several color options available, although unfortunately only one “breed” – so I couldn’t find one that matched my own dog at home (although who knows what that might have done to me in my already fragile emotional state).
In addition to choosing your favorite color, you’ll also be able to personalize your dog with various accessories — the Ecovacs rep I spoke to said she likes to think of it as an upgraded Build-A-Bear. At the CES booth, I was treated to a fashion show made up of several rather stylish thematic hats. Milo seemed happy with his headgear and showed no signs of wanting to rip it off and eat it, so that’s good.
While it’s partly just a cute, interactive toy, I can see how LilMilo could become a calming companion for someone who can’t have a real pet. Judging by my own reaction, it’s surprisingly easy to form an emotional connection with him.
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