shrtdb :: Startup will brick $800 emotional support robot for kids without refunds

The startup Embodied is shutting down and will soon "brick" (make unusable) its $800 Moxie robot for children ages 5-10.
Embodied blamed its closure on a failed critical funding round, with a lead investor withdrawing at the last minute.
The Moxie robot was marketed as an "emotional support" companion for children to help with social, emotional, and cognitive development. But it will soon lose core functionality.
Embodied says it cannot provide refunds to most customers due to its financial situation, except potentially for those who bought Moxie within the last 30 days.
The abrupt shutdown and bricking of the Moxie robot is concerning as it could cause emotional distress for children who had grown attached to the device.
Embodied is looking to sell the Moxie product to another company, which would then determine the fate of customer data.
The Moxie shutdown highlights the risks of relying on smart devices and gadgets that may have limited software support and can be "bricked" by companies.
Right-to-repair advocates are pushing for more regulation around smart device companies' commitments to long-term software support.
The Moxie case exemplifies the broader issue of smart home devices and gadgets being rendered unusable when companies go out of business or discontinue support.
The Moxie shutdown represents a disappointing outcome for both customers who invested in the product and the children who formed emotional attachments to the robot.

Startup will brick $800 emotional support robot for kids without refunds - Ars Technica