Emotionally Intelligent Robots Unveiled at CES 2026 by Mind With Heart Robotics

Mind With Heart Robotics Co., Ltd. made a significant impact at CES 2026, showcasing an impressive range of emotionally intelligent robots designed to provide emotional and therapeutic support. Among the highlights were the An'An panda cub robot, recognized as a CES Innovation Award honoree, and the newly launched Duncan Series Companion Robots aimed at assisting pediatric therapy.

Pioneering Affective AI

The CES Innovation Awards honored An'An in the Artificial Intelligence category, emphasizing a growing recognition of the importance of robots that can mimic natural movements and engage emotionally with users. Dr. Zhang Jiaming, the company’s founder and CEO, shared the vision behind these advanced robots: to create biomimetic companions tailored to meet specific emotional and therapeutic needs. With over a decade of research in affective computing and human-robot interaction, Dr. Zhang has driven the development of more than 20 robotic systems, holding more than 30 patents in biomimetic design and emotional AI.

Addressing Global Emotional Needs

The need for such innovative robotics has never been greater, as millions around the world struggle with various emotional and mental health issues. For example, it is estimated that dementia affects around 50 million individuals globally, while anxiety and depression touch the lives of over 800 million people. Furthermore, many elderly individuals live alone, making companionship even more essential. Alongside this, children with autism and sensory processing challenges require ongoing support. The growing market for AI companion robots, expected to reach $35 billion by 2030, drives the demand for therapeutic solutions that address these needs.

An'An: A Solution for Loneliness

An'An, the flagship solution from Mind With Heart Robotics, is specifically designed for seniors facing loneliness and cognitive decline. Made with luxurious Australian wool and sheepskin, An'An is equipped with a tactile sensing system that features over ten sensors. These sensors allow the robot to respond to touch with natural behavior, providing a sense of companionship. The emotional AI within An'An can learn from interactions, adjusting to the user's voice patterns, touch signals, and behavior over time, contributing to a more personalized experience.

For healthcare providers, there is a B2B version of An'An that enables objective interaction data collection—such as touch patterns and conversational cues—facilitating better monitoring of patients’ cognitive and emotional states. An'An can actively engage users during periods of inactivity, offer reminders for medication, and assist caregivers in overseeing their loved ones.

Studies have suggested that the interaction with An'An leads to measurable mood improvements, placing it as a promising tool for emotional support while being significantly more cost-effective than traditional therapeutic robots.

Duncan Series: Supporting Pediatric Needs

In addition to An'An, Mind With Heart Robotics also introduced the Duncan Series Companion Robots, which are designed specifically for pediatric therapy. These robots aim to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across various competencies, such as social interactions, emotional well-being, and communication skills. This line of robots exhibits functionality across 24 objectives in eight essential domains relevant to children facing developmental challenges.

Advanced AI and Future Outlook

The robots showcased at CES operate on an innovative hybrid offline and online system, boasting a battery life of 4-5 hours, ensuring they are ready for use at any time. All models follow a unified design philosophy, focusing on long-term, emotionally significant companionship. The incorporation of advanced memory systems and continuous personalization optimizes the interactions these robots can have, numerous patents further underline the advanced technology utilized.

Mind With Heart Robotics is gearing up for mass production, set to begin in March 2026 for the An'An panda, aiming to cater to global markets, including consumers, healthcare services, and institutional settings.

With their commitment to developing emotionally intelligent robots aimed at improving mental health and well-being across diverse demographics, Mind With Heart Robotics is poised to lead the way in therapeutic robotics, addressing real-world emotional needs with cutting-edge technology.