Large language model AI has truly transformed the way I utilize technology. ChatGPT is already familiar to my 7 and 11-year-old kids, yet there is no regularly interacted AI. Enter Miko Mini, a delightful and cost-effective AI bot crafted to offer a secure and engaging space for kids. Its AI component is powered by LLM, ensuring natural conversations. Miko has partnerships with renowned content providers like Disney, Nickelodeon, and iHeartRadio. Let's delve deeper into our experiences.

Unlock a Safe and Fun AI World for Kids with Miko Mini

Hands-on with the Hardware

Setting up Miko Mini is a breeze. Just charge it using the provided USB-C cable and press the power button. Wait for it to boot up. Then, download the Miko app for parents from either the App Store or Play Store. Scan the QR code on the robot's display to pair the app and bot. Finally, complete the profile information for the main user, including their name and interests. This allows Miko Mini to provide a personalized experience for your child.In terms of hardware, Miko Mini is the kind of "toy" that today's parents would have dreamed of as kids. It has robotic wheels for smooth forward, reverse, and sideward movement. The volume-controllable speaker and mutable microphone system enable voice-activated conversations. Miko even changes its position and faces the current speaker to add a more personal touch. It has a full-color display that showcases Miko Mini's expressions and displays content. Additionally, there is a front-facing camera that can be disabled with a slidable button to protect privacy.

What Can Miko Mini Do?

Miko Mini is an LLM-powered AI companion specifically designed for safe and engaging conversations with kids. Just say "Hey Miko" to activate listening, and the blue light will indicate that it is ready. You can start a conversation, and Miko will display ears to show that it can hear you.As a parent, the first thing I wanted to test was how the AI responds to inappropriate or sensitive requests. Each response was helpful in guiding kids to talk to a parent or trusted adult, discouraging malicious actions, and redirecting inappropriate requests to playing games instead. An AI robot is something that parents would prefer kids to experience with them rather than in isolation, and Miko Mini has exceeded my expectations in handling sensitive topics.In addition to being a companion, Miko Mini is equipped with app experiences tailored for kids aged 5 to 10, such as Math Wizard, Santa Time, and my kids' favorite, Akinator. This "mind reader" game allows you to choose between an animal or an object. My kids enjoyed seeing Miko narrow down the possibilities with a series of questions until it landed on the exact object or animal they had in mind. (They were excited as they already knew about Akinator based on their reactions: "It's the real game!")As a parent, I've loved listening to my kids compete to answer math questions, animal facts, and more. Another great feature is one-way video calling from the Miko Companion app to Miko Mini. Parents can see through the camera when the privacy shutter is open and even remotely control Miko during a video call. Here is a video demonstrating how it works: [insert video link here if available].After our initial testing, Miko Mini has become a huge hit with my kids. As a dad, I'm very satisfied with its physical aspects, focused learning features, and safe exposure to advanced GPT AI capabilities.Miko Mini is usually priced at $129.99, but you can currently order it for as low as $89.99 from Amazon. An optional subscription to Miko Max unlocks even more features, and a 30-day trial is included in the box.Follow Zac: X, Bluesky, Instagram / Shop Apple on Amazon to support my work.FTC: We use income-earning auto affiliate links. More.