Keio and MIT Media Lab unveil a floating helium-filled companion robot

Researchers from Keio University and the MIT Media Lab built a soft, helium-filled robot with gentle flapping fins and no face, rotors, or pinch points.

In demos it served as an alarm clock, study buddy, movement reminder, and dance partner, communicating through movement. The team designed it to avoid the uncanny valley and be safe to touch, betting people will welcome it into their personal space.