Edinburgh-based Konpanion, a human-centric robotics technology company has launched ‘Maah’, a companion robot designed to redefine non-living companionship.
Developed by a collective team of eight designers, engineers and roboticists, Maah represents a bold leap forward in social robotics, offering emotional support and well-being enhancement for users across diverse demographics.
Originally developed first at London’s Central Saint Martin and later at the University of Edinburgh as a research project, in response to mental health specialists’ requests and vulnerable groups interest, Maah has transitioned from a research project to a viable commercial offering.
Since its inception in 2018, the project was funded through a combination of bootstrapping by the founders and external funding sources, including Scottish Edge, Creative Informatics, and Old College Capital.
With its intelligent, customisable, and connected design, the robot – which resembles a living pillow – offers exceptional emotional support and well-being enhancement for users across diverse demographics and importantly, marks a transformative shift in social robotics, blending cutting-edge technology with sustainable manufacturing practices.
It is the first of its kind in the market, offering a combination of design-led ingenuity and eco-conscious production. Beyond the emotional support, which works by emulating pet-like behaviour, it integrates advanced health and wellness monitoring features through non-invasive sensing technology.
The API feeds back information to users when interacting with Maah, including users that may be monitoring their loved ones, children, or people in distress.
Furthermore, Maah utilises additive manufacturing and textiles for on-demand production, reducing stock and overseas shipping, with assembly based in Scotland. For example, one of Maah’s customisable outer cover options is made from organic wool sourced from Shetland sheep, highlighting Konpanion’s dedication to local assembly, eco-friendly materials, and overall environmental responsibility.
Alexandre Colle, CEO and co-founder of Konpanion, says: “Konpanion challenges the idea that humanoid robots are essential for meaningful human-robot interaction. Maah embodies our vision of a living home underpinned by design excellence, sustainability, and human-centric innovation.
We’re proud to introduce Maah, offering a seamless blend of companionship and health monitoring benefits. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of Maah’s design, from locally sourced materials to sustainability-first manufacturing practices.”
