Cartwheel Robotics’ Yogi Aims to Make Robots Feel Human

• Cartwheel Robotics is developing Yogi, a companion humanoid robot designed to bring emotional presence and practical support into everyday spaces.
• Yogi combines soft materials, expressive movement, and adaptive intelligence to support care, hospitality, and research.

Cartwheel Robotics is on a mission to make robots feel human. Its flagship product, Yogi, is a humanoid robot companion designed to be warm, helpful, and naturally integrated into the spaces where people live, work, and heal. With Yogi, the company aims to bridge emotional presence with practical function to bring robotics closer to the people it is meant to serve.

Yogi is built to be approachable, expressive, and safe. Its exterior features soft and durable medical-grade silicone skin that invites touch, while woven soft goods protect joints from pinch points. Yogi's lifelike eyes and subtle facial gestures allow it to communicate without speaking. Its head also lights up and changes colors based on its mood. These features create a sense of presence through glance and expression. Under the surface, precision actuators deliver high torque density for smooth, fluid movement, supported by integrated overload protection to ensure reliability. A high-capacity swappable battery enables all-day operation with quick recharging.

Cartwheel Robotics highlights Yogi's use in healthcare, home life, hospitality, and research on its website, describing the robot as "a companion for every moment". The company is building the robot to be easy to use and engage with through simple, natural interactions. Yogi is also expected to evolve over time, learning new behaviors through ongoing interaction. A waitlist is now open for early access.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

While most are busy building robots that mimic human movement, Cartwheel’s going after something deeper, an emotional connection. Yogi’s not just a machine that moves. It’s a presence you’re meant to feel.

Source: Cartwheel Robotics