A humanoid, mobile, and much cuter version of the Amazon Echo, the "Kuri 8" robot by California-based startup Mayfield Robotics will perform a range of actions at your command. Not only will it project videos, play music, read to you, tell you the weather, or entertain you with a podcast, it'll follow you from room to room if you wish, chirp, blink, and glow, making it a personal companion along the lines of pop culture robots like R2-D2, BB-8, and Wall-E. The three pillars that make up how Kuri functions are mobility, awareness, and personality. Standing 20 inches tall and 12 inches wide, Kuri boasts a built-in 1080p camera so you can keep an eye on your house or pets when you're away, plus a four-microphone array, dual speakers, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and sensors for mapping and detecting objects so it won't fall down stairs or constantly bump into furniture. Instead of a screen, it's got an animated head with moving "eyelids," relying on a vertical lift and six motors to blink and create Kuri's signature "smile." Mayfield says Kuri is a "him," but especially since it doesn't have a voice, it seems like you could gender your android companion however you prefer.

Tech columnist Jennifer Jolly shows the best robotic sidekicks. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Tech columnist Jennifer Jolly shows the best robotic sidekicks.