The robot pet has existed as a concept for decades. What is new in 2026 is how close the technology has gotten to something that feels genuinely alive — and how seriously companies are beginning to price it.
Meet Noa and Niko
SwitchBot officially launched KATA Friends on May 12, 2026. The product comes in two models — Noa, a white-fur companion, and Niko, a gray-fur companion — and is described by the company as "the world's first on-device AI pet robot that truly grows with you." Both are available now through SwitchBot's website at an MSRP of $699.99.
The physical design leans soft and expressive. KATA Friends moves independently around the home using dual-laser 3D obstacle avoidance and LiDAR-based room mapping, which also lets it find its charging dock on its own. Twelve touch sensors are distributed across its body — ears, hands, tummy, back — so it responds to where and how it is being petted. A high-definition LED screen and crystalline lens give it animated, expressive eyes that change with its simulated emotional state.
The AI underneath
What sets KATA Friends apart from earlier robot pets is the on-device large language model that powers its responses. Unlike products that depend on constant cloud connectivity, KATA Friends processes its core interactions locally. It understands speech, recognizes the faces of individual family members, remembers interaction patterns over time, and adapts its behavior accordingly. SwitchBot says it will work in the car, at a park, or anywhere without a reliable internet connection — the offline capability is a genuine selling point for a category that has historically required a live data connection to function.
The companion also reacts to emotional cues in speech, maintains a kind of personal diary of daily interactions, and can even take photos when prompted with a "cheese" or a peace sign, stored in an in-app album. Two four-microphone arrays let it detect and orient toward the direction of a speaker's voice from across a room.
The subscription question
KATA Friends comes with a 15-day free trial of its AI and software features. After that, keeping it active requires a Companion Care Plan. Pricing varies by region, but early reviews put the Essential tier — basic AI and software access — at roughly $150 per year, and the Premium tier — which adds repair services, annual health check-ups, and grooming — at roughly $400 per year. A one-time lifetime access option is also offered. If no plan is purchased after the trial ends, the robot enters a sleep state — it stops functioning for active use until a subscription is renewed.
This model has attracted pointed criticism. Tech critics have noted that a $700 object that goes inert when you miss a payment occupies a strange ethical space, particularly one designed to build emotional attachments with children and elderly users. SwitchBot also plans a separate AI Hub accessory to unlock advanced features, with no price or release date yet disclosed.
The broader context
KATA Friends arrives at a moment when the companion robot category is receiving serious investment. Japan's LOVOT, made by Groove X, is a spiritual predecessor — similarly focused on emotional connection rather than utility — but costs considerably more. SwitchBot is positioning KATA Friends as a more accessible entry point to the category, and on hardware price alone, it succeeds.
Whether the subscription economics hold up over years, and whether the emotional bonds the device is designed to form translate into durable customer relationships, remains to be seen. For now, the robot pet has arrived — and it has a recurring billing cycle.
Sources: SwitchBot press release — PR Newswire · TechDefused review · ui44 blog analysis · SwitchBot KATA Friends product page