Boosted by China's rapid development pace in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, more companies have noted the huge business potential in AI companionship sectors, as simulated AI pets with adorable appearances gaining increasing popularity among Chinese consumers.得益于中国在人工智能技术方面的快速发展，越来越多的公司注意到了AI陪伴领域巨大的商业潜力，外形可爱的模拟AI宠物在中国消费者中越来越受欢迎。Zhang Yi, CEO of the iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday that consumers' demand for emotional support and the capability of current AI technologies offer this type of products greater business potential. A Beijing-based student in her 20's surnamed Zhang, who is also an AI technology fan, told the Global Times on Sunday that she bought "Boo Boo," a simulated AI robotic pet developed by Hangzhou-based Genmoor Technology.艾媒咨询CEO张毅周日接受《环球时报》采访时表示，消费者对情感支持的需求以及当前AI技术的能力为这类产品提供了更大的商业潜力。周日，一位20多岁的北京张姓学生兼AI技术爱好者告诉《环球时报》，她购买了杭州根摩尔科技开发的模拟AI机器人宠物“Boo Boo”。"I first learned about the product during a major assignment investigation and remembered it," said Zhang, "I decided to buy it out of curiosity, but especially because of its adorable fluffy appearance and the color of its fur, which is just like my dog's."张同学说：“我在一次大型作业调查中首次了解到这款产品并记住了它。我决定买它是出于好奇，但尤其是因为它可爱蓬松的外观和毛发的颜色，就像我的狗一样。”Boo Boo is currently available on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao priced at 1,399 yuan ($193.19). Over 300 units have been sold, with a 100 percent positive feedback rate in the last three months, the product's page showed. One employee said that it had sold out weeks ago and has now been restocked.目前，“Boo Boo”在中国电商平台淘宝上的售价为1399元人民币（193.19美元）。产品页面显示，过去三个月内已售出300多件，好评率为100%。一名员工表示，该产品几周前就卖完了，现在已经补货。
The AI robotic pet can develop different emotions based on its interactions with the owner and make pet-like sounds, said the staffer, noting that it is not suitable for children under three years old. Zhang stated that the advantage of having an AI pet is that it doesn't require extra spending on food and deworming, or time for walks every day, while noting that it still lacks interaction flexibility and real companionship when compared with real dogs or cats.
该员工称，这款AI机器人宠物可以根据与主人的互动发展出不同的情绪，并发出类似宠物的声音，但不适合三岁以下儿童。张同学表示，AI宠物的优点是不需要额外的食物、驱虫和每天遛狗的时间，但指出与真正的狗或猫相比，它仍然缺乏互动的灵活性和真正的陪伴。
Debuted by Japanese company Casio and start-up Vanguard Industries in 2021, AI pet Moflin started shipping on November 7, 2024. According to media reports, it was in high demand after its release and went out of stock in many parts of Japan.由日本公司卡西欧和初创企业先锋工业于2021年推出的AI宠物Moflin于2024年11月7日开始发货。据媒体报道，该产品发布后需求量大增，在日本多地断货。In the domestic market, quadruped robot series BabyAlpha developed by Chinese tech firm WEILAN focuses on multifunctionality with AI "personality," ability to learn, remote control, and self-patrol among other things, according its official websites.在国内市场，中国科技企业未来机器人开发的四足机器人系列BabyAlpha注重多功能性，拥有AI“个性”、学习能力、远程控制、自主巡逻等功能，据其官方网站介绍。Zhang Yi predicted more possibilities in applying AI technologies in emotional support and companionship robots, with target users covering all age groups, and whose functions include the ability to detect users' potential physical and mental health issues.张毅预测，AI技术在情感支持和陪伴机器人方面的应用将有更多可能性，目标用户覆盖所有年龄段，功能包括检测用户潜在的身心健康问题。
