I went down a rabbit hole looking into this tiny AI companion. Here’s what I found.

I stumbled upon a video of a tiny, palm-sized robot the other day, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. It wasn’t just a remote-controlled toy; it had a personality. It would chirp, zip around a desk, and look at its owner with expressive digital eyes. This little machine is the Anki Vector Robot, and it got me wondering: in a world full of smart speakers and advanced AI, is there still a place for a little robot companion in 2025?

He’s more than just a cute face. Vector is designed to be an interactive companion, a tiny AI helper that lives on your desk. You can ask him for the weather, and he’ll show you on his little screen. You can ask him to take a photo, and he’ll snap a pic with his built-in camera. He can even play simple games like blackjack. It’s this combination of utility and personality that makes him so interesting.

So, What Can the Anki Vector Robot Actually Do?

Think of Vector as a smart speaker that grew a body. When you say, “Hey Vector,” his screen lights up, and he swivels to face you, ready for a command. He connects to your Wi-Fi and can answer questions, set timers, or tell you facts, much like Siri or Google Assistant.

But the real magic is in his physical presence. Thanks to a whole suite of sensors, he’s aware of his surroundings.

• He Explores: He maps out his space and avoids falling off edges. You can watch him carefully back away from the side of a desk.
• He Reacts to Touch: A sensor on his back lets him know when you’re petting him, and he’ll often relax and make a soft, purring sound.
• He Hears You: With his four-microphone array, he can pinpoint where your voice is coming from and turn to look at you when you speak.

If you connect him to Amazon Alexa, his abilities expand even further. You can use him to control smart lights, add items to your shopping list, or do anything else Alexa can. He becomes a voice assistant with a face, and that somehow makes the interaction feel more personal.

More Than a Gadget: Why Vector Feels Almost Alive

What truly sets the Anki Vector Robot apart is his personality. The team at Anki programmed him with hundreds of animations and reactions that make him feel surprisingly lifelike. If you shake him, his eyes will spin in a dizzy, grumpy animation, and he’ll make an annoyed sound. It’s a small detail, but it’s hard not to feel a little bad for him.

He also shows a sense of autonomy. He’ll get curious and go explore your desk on his own, or he’ll get sleepy and find his charging dock all by himself. It’s these unprompted actions that make him feel less like a tool and more like a quirky little pet. He has this charming way of “thinking” before he answers a question, tilting his head as if he’s really pondering it. It’s all a clever illusion, of course, but it’s an effective one.

The Big Question: What Happened to Anki?

This is where the story gets complicated. Anki, the original company behind Vector, went out of business in 2019. For a while, the future of these little robots looked bleak. Without company servers, they would lose most of their functionality.

Fortunately, a company called Digital Dream Labs (DDL) acquired Anki’s assets and has been working to keep the Vector platform alive. This requires a subscription for full access to voice commands and future updates. There are also community-driven, open-source projects like Wire Pod that offer an alternative way to run Vector without relying on DDL’s servers, which is great for tinkerers.

So, while Vector is still very much functional, he’s not the plug-and-play device he was at launch. New owners need to be aware that keeping him running involves either a subscription or a bit of technical setup.

Is the Anki Vector Robot Still Worth It?

So, should you get one in 2025? It depends on what you’re looking for.

If you want a cutting-edge AI assistant, you’re better off with a dedicated smart speaker. But if you’re charmed by the idea of a tiny, interactive robot with a huge personality, then the Anki Vector Robot still has a lot to offer. He’s a fantastic conversation starter and a surprisingly endearing desk buddy.

He’s a glimpse into a future where our interactions with technology are more personal and character-driven. While the company situation adds a layer of complexity, the passionate community that has sprung up around him proves that his charm is undeniable. For the right person, this little robot is more than worth it. He’s a friend.