Why Small Companion Robots Will Explode in 2026
Humanoids are coming, but the first true mass market robotics wave will start with small rolling companions. These cute, mobile, personality driven robots that follow you, talk to you, and blend into daily life are becoming the R2 D2 robots of the home. They do not need complex arms or heavy hardware. They win through charm, mobility, intelligence, and presence.
Families want them. Kids love them. Seniors benefit from them. And AI gives them more personality every month.
Below is the full landscape of this emerging category, including the most adorable AI companions of 2025.
Meet Reachy Mini : Is this the First True HouseBot?
Introducing Reachy Mini, the newest innovation from Pollen Robotics in collaboration with Hugging Face, designed to bring open-source robotics to everyone — from curious kids and educators to hackers and hardcore researchers. Priced at just $299, this expressive, pint-sized robot isn’t just affordable — it’s fully programmable, community-powered, and ready to use right out of the box.