'Moflin had a really warm and fuzzy moment' – a week with the robot pet that wriggled and squeaked its way into my heart

Moflin, from Casio, is a robot pet that looks similar to a guinea pig. It's equipped with various sensors so it can respond when it's being stroked or cuddled, plus actuators and a speaker so it can move, chirp, and squeak as you interact with it. It's compact, cuddly, cute, and delivers all the fun of owning a pet but without the need to ever have to empty a litter tray.

These aren't just fleeting responses, either. Moflin remembers how you spend your time together, and over time it develops a distinct "personality", unlocking extra sounds and movements as its character develops. According to Casio, it will even learn to recognise and respond to your voice.

If you're feeling skeptical then you're not alone, but as someone who lives in an apartment too small for an actual animal (and who has ...