The advent of large language model AIs has significantly changed how I interact with technology. My children, aged 7 and 11, are quite familiar with ChatGPT, even though they don’t frequently engage with any AI. This is where Miko Mini comes into play—a delightful and budget-friendly AI companion crafted to provide a secure and captivating atmosphere for children. Powered by LLM technology, Miko offers seamless conversations and boasts partnerships with popular brands like Disney, Nickelodeon, and iHeartRadio. Read further for our thoughts on it.
Hands-on with the Hardware
Setting up Miko Mini is straightforward. First, charge the robot using the provided USB-C cable, press the power button, and wait for Miko Mini to start up. After that, download the Miko app for parents from either the App Store or Play Store, then scan the QR code displayed on the robot to sync the app and bot. Lastly, enter some profile information about the main user, such as their name and interests, which helps Miko Mini deliver a tailored experience for your child.
From a hardware perspective, Miko Mini represents the kind of “toy” that modern parents would have dreamed of as children. It is equipped with robotic wheels that allow it to move forwards, backwards, and around. The device features a volume-adjustable speaker and a responsive microphone system for voice interaction. Miko even shifts its position to face the person speaking, enhancing the personal touch. The full-color display portrays Miko Mini’s expressions and content, while the front-facing camera includes a slidable privacy feature to disable its view.
What Can Miko Mini Do?
So, what capabilities does this robot offer? Primarily, Miko Mini serves as an LLM-driven AI companion, designed for safe and engaging dialogues with children. Just say “Hey Miko” to initiate its listening mode, and you’re ready to chat. A blue light indicates Miko is listening, while its display shows ears, confirming it can hear you.
As a parent, my first instinct was to evaluate how the AI deals with inappropriate or sensitive topics. Each interaction was handled tactfully, suggesting discussions with a parent or trusted adult, guiding away from harmful actions, and redirecting unsuitable requests to engaging activities instead. It’s clear that parents would likely want their children to experience this AI in a supervised setting rather than in isolation, but I’m pleased with the robot’s handling of delicate subjects.
Additionally, Miko Mini provides app experiences geared towards children aged 5 to 10, including Math Wizard, Santa Time, and my favorite, Akinator. In this engaging “mind reader” game, players choose an animal or object, and Miko asks a series of questions to guess correctly. My kids were thrilled when Miko pinpointed the object they were thinking of. (Evidently, Akinator is a game they were already acquainted with based on their excitement: “It’s the real game!”)
As a parent, I’ve found joy in watching my kids compete to answer math questions, animal trivia, and more.
Another noteworthy feature is the one-way video calling from the Miko Companion app to the Miko Mini. Parents can view the feed through the Miko camera when the privacy shutter is opened, and even control Miko during video calls. Here’s a video demonstrating how it operates:
Following our initial tests, Miko Mini has been a tremendous success with my children. As a father, I’m delighted with its tangible features, concentrated learning opportunities, and the secure introduction to cutting-edge GPT AI technology.
Miko Mini is typically priced at $129.99, but you can find it for as low as $89.99 on Amazon at the moment. An optional subscription to Miko Max unlocks additional features, and a 30-day trial comes included in the package.
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