Moxie Robot's Death and Revival: The Fragile Life of AI Companions for Neurodivergent Kids

In 2024, Embodied, the company behind Moxie, an AI-driven companion robot designed for neurodivergent children, shut down, leaving the robots dependent on inactive servers. The narrative follows Xander, a 10-year-old from New York, who relied on Moxie for assistance. Originally intended for his autistic brother, Aidan, Xander developed a connection with the device. Following the closure of Embodied, parents turned to social media for solutions, resulting in Justin Beghtol's creation of OpenMoxie, an open-source alternative. While some parents modified their Moxies, others, like Josh, opted to sell theirs on eBay. A new investor attempted to revive Moxie in 2025, but when that venture also failed, users shifted to OpenMoxie by June. The article examines the advantages and drawbacks of AI toys, referencing research and highlighting ethical issues.