Moxie the Robot: A Last-Minute Lifeline for Owners

Image Credit: Embodied

Owners of the beloved Moxie robot from Embodied may soon breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to an innovative open-source initiative that could keep this unique device alive and well.

The Shutdown Announcement

Earlier this December, Embodied announced its plans to shut down, leaving Moxie—an $800 robot designed to support children’s social development, particularly for those with autism—facing imminent obsolescence. Parents were faced with the daunting task of explaining to their kids why they could no longer interact with their robotic companion.

A Glimmer of Hope

In what feels like a plot twist straight out of a tech drama, recent developments suggest that Moxie might not be lost after all. The company’s recent communication has hinted at efforts to circumvent the looming server shutdown by launching a local server application aptly named OpenMoxie. This application would allow Moxie to run on a home computer, enabling it to continue functioning independently from its original cloud servers.

According to a LinkedIn post highlighted by Ars Technica, current owners can look forward to an over-the-air update that will allow Moxie to connect to the new server once it’s up and running. This local solution could open doors to continued developmental updates and modifications, keeping the robot relevant for years to come.

Navigating the Roadblocks

That said, the path to Moxie’s continuation isn’t without its hurdles.

1. Urgent Update Required: Owners need to promptly install a critical over-the-air update to their Moxies. This update will only be available while the Embodied cloud servers remain online. Users must ensure their Moxie is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi for at least an hour to facilitate this update.

2. OpenMoxie Launch Date: While the notice confirms the team is hard at work on OpenMoxie, it leaves many questions unanswered about when this software will become available.

Fortunately, Embodied has pledged to provide all necessary documentation and code, empowering developers and tech-savvy community members to maintain and enhance Moxie independently. However, owners should proceed with caution, as the company has explicitly stated that there are no guarantees or warranties post-update.

Community-Driven Future

Despite the uncertainty, the potential for a community-driven future is a promising development. While Moxie’s full feature set may not be restored overnight, this grassroots initiative offers a sense of continuity that families desperately crave. Imagine a sale of Moxie toys becoming a community project, where parents and enthusiasts collaborate to explore new functionalities together!

It’s a scenario that highlights not only technological resilience but also the incredible bond between children and their robotic friends. Families can once again envision their Moxie assisting in playdates and social scenarios, enriching the lives of their little ones with endless possibilities.

Conclusion

With Moxie’s days initially numbered, the emergence of OpenMoxie presents a thrilling alternative for its dedicated owners. While there’s work to be done to revive this friendly robot fully, the ongoing community efforts could ensure it remains a beloved companion for many families.

The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.