Tombot unveiled Jennie, a hyper‑realistic Labrador retriever robotic puppy, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Tombot To Launch ‘Jennie’ Realistic Puppy Robot At CES 2025
The device is presented as a tool for emotional support and mental health care for people living with a range of health challenges, an effort the company says aims to broaden access to companion‑style support outside clinical settings. Both live therapy animals and robotic companion pets can improve mental health outcomes, though current evidence suggests they are not equivalent in strength of effect. Network meta-analysis of comparative efficacy of animal-assisted …
The showcase drew attention on the CES exhibition floor, and Tombot reports having over 7,000 pre‑order and waitlist customers for Jennie, positioning the robot as the next generation of its companion technology.
Jennie is engineered to look, feel, and behave like a real puppy, combining realistic fur and motion with Interactive Touch Sensors that produce puppy‑like reactions intended to deepen emotional connections. Surveys show that a large majority of pet owners say their pets positively impact their mental health, indicating the potential for robotic companions to offer similar benefits. Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to Their Owners, 1 out …
Tombot, known for robotic animal companions and digital health solutions, highlighted those tactile features as central to the product’s design.
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop is credited as the Artistic Designer on the project, a role listed by Tombot that links creative creature design with the robot’s lifelike appearance and movements. The company framed the collaboration as part of a push to blend entertainment‑grade animatronics with therapeutic functionality.
Families and caregivers responded quickly to the demonstration on the show floor; Tombot says the robot has already captured the attention and hearts of families and caregivers worldwide. Individuals can integrate robotic pets into their mental health care routines by using them as companions to reduce loneliness and provide comfort, especially in cases of dementia or depression. Robotic Pets, Real Comfort? What the Research Says | Psych Central
The company positions the puppy robot as an option for people who need steady, predictable companionship as part of broader care strategies.
Industry observers and product analysts have discussed how robotic companions can fit into mental health and caregiving routines. Coverage of the launch appeared alongside in‑depth previews such as the piece from Massrobotics, and resources like Psych Central outline practical steps for integrating robotic pets into daily care.
Tombot presented Jennie as part of an ongoing effort to expand non‑human companionship options for people with dementia, anxiety, depression, and other conditions that can benefit from regular social interaction. The company described the product as combining sensory responsiveness with a small, portable form factor suitable for home or institutional settings.
Design details emphasized realism: soft synthetic fur, weighted body proportions and programmed behaviors that mimic play, rest, and social seeking. The Interactive Touch Sensors trigger motions and sounds that mirror a live puppy’s responses, a feature Tombot highlighted when discussing the robot’s aims to foster comfort and predictable interaction.
Market rollout plans presented at the event positioned the robot within Tombot’s broader portfolio of digital health solutions. The company framed the launch as a step toward offering alternatives where live animals are impractical, pointing to the value caregivers and families place on consistent companionship. Many pet owners report that their pets positively impact their mental health.
The arrival of Jennie at CES follows growing interest in robotic companions as adjuncts to traditional care models. Tombot’s combination of creature design and responsive sensors seeks to place the product at the intersection of companion robotics and therapeutic support.
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