Tombot’s robotic puppy Jennie helps with loneliness at CES 2026.
This time at CES 2026, a unique ‘puppy’ has become the highlight of the people, but it was not a real dog. Its name is Jennie and it is a very real looking robotic puppy, which has been prepared by a company named Tombot. This robot has been specially designed for those people who are struggling with loneliness, stress or memory related problems.
When you look at and touch Jenny, it seems as if a small Labrador puppy is actually sitting in front of you. She wags her tail, turns her head, moves her ears and mouth and even reacts to being caressed lovingly.
If you talk to her, she responds after hearing your voice. This is the reason why many people forget for some time that Jenny is a machine.
helpful in fighting loneliness
According to Tombot, Jenny has been specially designed for the elderly suffering from diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Loneliness and restlessness are common problems in such patients.
Real pets can provide emotional support, but caring for them is not easy for everyone. In such a situation, Jenny emerges as a safe and easy option. Apart from this, it can also be helpful for people suffering from anxiety, PTSD, autism or people who cannot keep a real pet at home.
Tombot worked with the famous Jim Henson’s Creator Shop to make this robotic puppy more realistic. This team creates realistic characters seen in films and shows. The sensors inside Jenny detect whether someone is touching or talking to her. It also has AI technology, due to which it gradually starts understanding human behavior.
Control is done through mobile app
Jenny can also be controlled through mobile app. Family members or caregivers can set commands, change names, and even see how much the patient is interacting with it. Its battery is enough to last the whole day.
This project is very personal for Tombot CEO Tom Stevens, as he has seen his mother struggle with Alzheimer’s. The company says that Jenny does not replace humans, but helps in reducing loneliness. Jenny, priced at around $1500, is set to be launched in the market in the summer of 2026.
