The AI toy market is predicted to be worth $35.11 billion by 2030, according to market research firm Contrive Datum Insights. Grok is available for pre-order for $99, with shipping expected early next year. The company has attracted seed-stage investment from Canadian musician Claire Boucher, known as Grimes, who is also an investor and adviser to the company and will provide the toy’s voice. Curio was incorporated earlier this year and now has four full-time employees and several contractors.
Key takeaways:
- Curio, a Silicon Valley start-up, is developing Grok, an AI-powered plush toy that can converse with children, using Open AI’s technology.
- The AI toy market is expected to grow significantly, with predictions it will be worth $35.11 billion by 2030.
- Unlike previous talking toys, Grok is designed to have a degree of pseudo consciousness and parents will have control over its conversations, with an app providing full transcripts of any conversation the child has with the toy.
- Curio envisions Grok as an assistive technology for parenting, with potential features like a bedtime mode, and hopes to develop the technology so that AI toys can interact with each other.