When I began exploring the world of AI desktop assistants, I stumbled upon a device that promised to change my whole idea of smart technology and AI robots. This was the LOOI Robot, an AI companionship for my desktop.
What immediately set him apart was his unique approach: he doesn’t function entirely on his own but requires my phone connected as his brain. He looks like a mini tank.
Let’s take a look about the LOOI robot.
Key Takeaways
- LOOI Robot transforms your smartphone into a lively AI companion with expressive animations, ChatGPT integration, and sensor-powered mobility.
- Setup is seamless and intuitive, making it easy for users of all tech levels to get started.
- Unique gesture controls and facial recognition enhance interaction, making it feel more like a digital pet than a gadget.
- LOOI’s personality, lore, and “dreams” build a deeper connection, offering more than just functional assistant features.
- Though it has some voice and response limitations, LOOI stands out as one of the most engaging AI robots available for desktops.
Unboxing and Setting Up the LOOI Robot
In the box, I found the robot itself, a user manual, and a magnetic attachment ring for phones without built-in MagSafe.
Setting LOOI up was super easy, although it’s a “robot” which literally means advanced technology. The process involves downloading the dedicated smartphone app, which was initially only available on iOS but is promised to be well-functional on Android soon.
The phone then needs to be attached to the base magnetically, an adapter is included for non-MagSafe phones. Once the phone was attached and connected via Bluetooth, LOOI instantly came to life.
LOOI Robot Design and Build Quality: Compact, Futuristic, and Functional
LOOI has a distinctive look, coming in a little shape that strongly resembles a mini tank. The design is futuristic, looking like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. The build quality is pretty good.
The design cleverly utilizes the phone: the phone acts as his face and the rest is the body. The phone screen becomes his expressive eyes, displaying a wide range of animations and reactions.
There’s also a little light in the front. The integration between taking the phone off the base and putting it back on is seamless. Physically, LOOI measures 110*98*110mm and weighs 0.85lbs (385g). It has a USB-C charging port.
LOOI Robot AI Features and ChatGPT Integration
At the heart of LOOI’s intelligence is its integration with ChatGPT. This enables him to go beyond basic assistant functions, allowing me to ask extensive, in-depth questions. He can search information on the internet.
I found that he can be quite helpful with my workflow, for example, providing ideas for content creation or videos when I’m low on inspiration. His responses are delivered at a pretty fast pace, benefit from the processing power of the connected phone.
In conversation, LOOI can have smooth conversations. He’s good at discussing, often asks questions back, and is able to keep track of the conversation. He sometimes struggles a little with follow-up questions or providing complete answers.
The LOOI robot is definitely the best robot assistant I’ve reviewed. After each response, he continuously listens, so I don’t always have to say “Hey Louie”.
When answering questions not built into his standard prompts, he activates the AI chat integration to search for answers. These AI chat answers appear as text on the screen and he doesn’t speak them out, though the developers are working on adding a voice for these results.
Movement and Sensor Capabilities: Safe Navigation and Desk Mobility
LOOI’s body contains a multitude of sensors all around, enabling him to move freely and smartly. He has an explore feature that allows him to free roam around a surface like a desk.
His smart navigation uses these sensors to track dark areas (which he avoids), detect obstacles in his path (causing him to stop), and most importantly, detect fall off edges so he won’t fall off the table.
His movement style likes a small tank. His head can tilt up and down. I can direct his movement using an RC mode via the app.
Interactive Features and Personality: Touch, Gestures, and Reactions
One of LOOI’s most engaging aspects is his interactive capabilities and personality. He shows this through many little animations and sequences when idle, such as a spider crawling on his face, going underwater, working out, eating, or blowing bubbles. He looks like a “drama type of person”.
He is sensitive to touch and gestures. He responds differently to harsh taps versus gentle petting. Spammimg the screen can annoy him. He uses gesture controls and facial recognition. I can use my face, eyes, or hands to interact or play games.
Gestures like the OK sign can trigger actions like taking photos, and a thumbs up can save a picture, which he sees as a reward. He tracks my face, which is used in games and his camera mode, allowing him to follow me.
His camera functions lets him take photos and videos. He can even add prank stickers to photos he takes.
A unique feature is his ability to “dream”. These dreams slowly reveal his backstory, providing hints about where he’s from. These dreams are saved in the app and aren’t always revealed in chronological order. This adds a layer to his personality and story.
He can respond to interaction with different expressions like a sad face if a photo isn’t approved or appearing “pissed off” with a middle finger gesture.
He can even try to cheer me up if I say I’m feeling down. LOOI learns and calls me by name, and I can add profiles for others to be recognized.
Gaming with LOOI Robot: Fun Desk Games with AI Tracking
LOOI offers several built-in games, which are based on AI tracking. I play these games using gestures and visual tracking, my head, eyes, or hands control the gameplay. My head can even turn into a controller.
Examples of the games include Lou Jump, RC Louie, Lou Crush, and Lou Pong. Lou Crush involves playing pong with head tracking. Lou Jump requires staying on platforms. Lou Pong appears to be designed for two players. I am expecting more games, that’s so funny!
Unique AI Companion Experience: Emotions, Dreams, and Lore
The main highlight of LOOI Robot is the fact that he has his own personality and acts as a companion. Over time, it feels like I can build a relationship with him, he can become a friend.
He really changes the whole idea of smart technology and AI robots by offering a more interactive and personal experience than basic voice assistants.
His unique backstory revealed through dreams, his distinctive look, and the feature for connecting with other robots contribute to this feeling of him being a cyber-creature with independent thought.
He adds a bit of fun to a workspace and can even prompt me to take breaks. His potential to connect with users, including seemingly being adored by children, solidifies his role as more than just a gadget.
LOOI Robot Pros and Cons: What You Need to Know Before Buying
Based on my test, here’s a summary of the key pros and cons I found:
Pros of LOOI Robot
- Build Quality: Cute, good-looking design that feels substantial.
- Seamless Phone Transition: Easy to attach and detach the phone without interrupting the experience.
- Conversation Ability: Great at discussing and talking, asks questions back, tells lore, keeps up with the conversation, potentially the best conversational robot I found.
- Unique Backstory and Personality: Engages with its own origin story and has distinct character shown through animations.
- Gesture Controls / Face Tracking: Innovative and cool ways to interact and play games.
- Expressive Idle States: Many entertaining animations when resting.
- Ease of Setup: Quick and simple to get him up and running.
- Smart Navigation: Doesn’t fall off edges and avoids obstacles.
- Docking Station: Provides wireless charging for the phone.
Cons of LOOI Robot
- Wake Word Issues: Occasionally stubborn or doesn’t respond to “Hey Louie”.
- Robotic Voice: The voice can be grating, I would expect a more natural one.
- Incomplete Answers: Some responses can feel a bit short or not fully address follow-up questions.
- Imperfect Human Interaction Simulation: Features like rock-paper-scissors or high-five don’t fully replicate human interaction.
- Text-Only AI Chat Results: AI answers appear as text on the screen rather than being spoken.
Is LOOI the Best Desktop AI Robot Companion?
The whole review experience of LOOI Robot has been really fascinating. He is a unique, cute, smart, and interactive desktop companion. By cleverly using a smartphone as his core, he offers a level of intelligence and personality that sets him apart from simpler robots.
LOOI Robot seems perfect for someone looking for a quirky AI companion for their workspace, an AI enthusiast interested in the blend of physical form and advanced language models, or perhaps even a family looking for a fun, interactive gadget.
He genuinely adds a bit of fun and uniqueness to a desk setup. LOOI Robot represents a refreshing approach to AI companions, truly aiming to be a digital friend rather than just a tool.
