Meet Jennie: The Robotic Puppy That Doesn’t Need a Leash (or a Poop Bag!)

Ever wish you could enjoy the love of a dog without the shedding, barking at mail carriers, or emergency trips to the vet?

Say hello to Jennie—a life-like robotic Labrador puppy created by Tombot, a company out of Santa Clarita, California.

But don’t let the word “robot” scare you off. Jennie doesn’t beep or blink like something from a sci-fi movie. Instead, she wiggles, wags, and reacts in ways that feel surprisingly real—especially when you scratch behind her ears.

Jennie was born out of love—and necessity.

When Tombot’s founder, Tom, had to take away his mom’s dog after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it broke his heart.

He searched high and low for a safe alternative but came up empty. So he did what any devoted son with an eye for innovation might do: he built one.

🧠 Comfort Where It Counts

Jennie was designed specifically for people facing cognitive or emotional challenges, including:

• Seniors with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
• Children with autism
• Adults with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
• Patients with mobility issues, chronic illness, or who are simply unable to care for a live pet

With over 8,000 pre-orders already, it’s clear Jennie is meeting a very real need.

🤖 Not Just Cute—She’s Smart, Too

Jennie is fully interactive, with sensors all over her body so she can feel your touch and respond accordingly—just like a real puppy might. And thanks to her “dog AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is basically when computers get smart—really smart. Imagine if your c... More,” Jennie doesn’t just repeat the same responses over and over. She’s unpredictable in all the right ways, barking, shifting, and perking up her ears like a pup who really knows you.

Oh, and you can even give her your own custom name—and she’ll respond only to that name.

🛋️ A Lap Dog in Every Way

Jennie was carefully crafted for people with limited mobility, so she doesn’t walk or move around the room. Instead, she’s meant to rest on your lap, offering safe companionship without becoming a tripping hazard.

Even her visual design was created with help from the legendary Jim Henson Creature Shop (yes, the folks behind the Muppets). The result? A dog that doesn’t just feel real—she looks real, too.

🧪 Backed by Research, Not Just Adorable Eyes

Jennie isn’t just a feel-good story—she’s being put to the test in clinical studies with 17 healthcare and assisted living partners. These trials aim to measure her impact on:

• Anxiety and depression
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Memory and emotional regulation

The potential audience? A staggering one billion people worldwide, when including those with mild cognitive decline.

🔧 Easy to Use. Easy to Love.

Jennie charges like a smartphone and lasts all day on a single charge. And soon, caregivers will be able to use an optional app to personalize her behavior:

• Adjust her energy level (more cuddles, less chaos)
• Mute barking if needed
• Introduce new movements or sounds over time via software updates

It’s like giving your robotic dog new tricks—without the biscuits.

🌎 What’s Next for Tombot?

Tombot has big plans. They’ll be launching mass production within a year and showcasing new features at CES 2025, including a sneak peek at potential future models (yes, maybe even ones that walk!).

They’re also continuing to seek investors, partners, and healthcare collaborations to help bring Jennie to more homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities.

💬 Final Thoughts: A New Kind of Best Friend

Jennie isn’t just a gadget—she’s a comfort, a companion, and a bridge between technology and emotional connection.

For those who can’t have a live pet but still long for the wag of a tail and the tilt of a curious puppy head, Jennie might just be the next best thing.

Check out this video to see her in action and learn more…