Colin Angle, the co-founder and former CEO of iRobot, is venturing into new territory with his latest startup, Familiar Machines & Magic. According to The Boston Globe, Angle's new company is developing a home robot that prioritizes health and wellness, and may take the form of an animal or a "familiar."

Angle, who led iRobot for three decades, is no stranger to innovation in the robotics space. During his tenure at iRobot, he oversaw the development of the popular Roomba robot vacuum cleaners, which became a staple in many smart homes. However, after leaving iRobot following the collapse of its sale to Amazon in January, Angle is shifting his focus towards more personal and interactive robotics.

Familiar Machines & Magic is currently in stealth mode, but Angle has assembled a team of experienced robotics experts, including Chris Jones, the former CTO of iRobot, and Ira Renfrew, who previously worked on robotics at Amazon, including the shuttered Scout delivery robot. The company has already raised $15 million from eight investors and is seeking an additional $15 million in funding, according to TechCrunch.

The concept of a "familiar" robot is intriguing, especially given the mixed success of companion bots in the past. Robots like Jibo, Moxie, and Anki, which were designed to provide companionship and assistance, have ultimately failed to gain widespread adoption. However, advances in generative AI could bring new potential to the space, enabling robots to engage in more human-like conversations and interactions.

One example of a successful social robot is ElliQ, an AI-powered robot designed to keep the elderly and home-bound company, developed by Israeli startup Intuition Robotics. The third-generation model of ElliQ, which incorporates generative AI, has shown significant improvements in lifelikeness and engagement. It's possible that Familiar Machines & Magic could draw inspiration from such examples, combining personality and practicality to positively impact the health and well-being of household members.

While the exact nature of Angle's "familiar" robots remains unclear, one investor described the concept as "furry pets to address loneliness." If successful, Familiar Machines & Magic could pioneer a new category of home robots that prioritize emotional connection and wellness, rather than simply performing tasks. As the smart home landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Angle's latest venture contributes to the conversation.

In conclusion, Colin Angle's new startup, Familiar Machines & Magic, represents an exciting development in the robotics and AI space. With Angle's track record of innovation and his team's expertise, it's likely that this new venture will bring significant advancements to the industry. As the company emerges from stealth mode, it will be worth keeping a close eye on their progress and the potential implications for the future of home robotics.