From Jibo to Necklaces: Engineering Realities After the Social Robot Hype Fades

Jibo raised $3.7 million on Kickstarter with over 10,000 pre-orders, but shipped fewer than 5,000 units before shutting down in 2019. I've looked at these numbers many times; every time I feel regret, but also that it was inevitable. Now its successor has reappeared as a wearable device, turning users' lives into AI slop (AI-generated junk content). The shift from a fixed base to a pendant around your neck is itself an engineering signal.