Release
Jan 1, 2017
Price
$699
Connectivity
1
Status
Discontinued
Height
50 cm
Weight
6 kg
Battery
Not publicly specified
Speed
Not publicly specified
Kuri
Kuri was a home companion robot from Mayfield Robotics (a Bosch-backed startup). It was designed for autonomous home mobility, voice-triggered interaction, and lightweight social presence using expressive sounds rather than spoken dialogue.
Listed price
$699
Original announced pre-order price; units were never shipped and preorders were refunded
Release window
Jan 1, 2017
Current status
Discontinued
Mayfield Robotics
Last verified
Mar 3, 2026
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Technical overview
Core specifications and system stack
A fast read on the mechanical profile, sensing package, and platform integrations behind Kuri.
Technical Specifications
Height
50 cm
Weight
6 kg
Dimensions
30 cm × 30 cm × 50 cm
Battery Life
Not publicly specified
Charging Time
Not publicly specified
Max Speed
Not publicly specified
Tech Components
Sensors (4)
Connectivity (1)
Operational profile
How this robot is configured
Capabilities
5
Connectivity
1
Key capabilities
Ecosystem fit
Explore further
Benchmark set
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About the Kuri
The Kuri is a Companions robot built by Mayfield Robotics. Kuri was a home companion robot from Mayfield Robotics (a Bosch-backed startup). It was designed for autonomous home mobility, voice-triggered interaction, and lightweight social presence using expressive sounds rather than spoken dialogue.
At a listed price of $699, it positions itself in the consumer-accessible segment of the companions market. See all Mayfield Robotics robots on the Mayfield Robotics page.
Spec Breakdown
Detailed specifications for the Kuri
Height
50 cmAt 50 cm, the Kuri is sized for its intended operating environment and use cases.
Weight
6 kgWeighing 6 kg, the Kuri balances structural integrity with portability and maneuverability.
Dimensions
30 cm × 30 cm × 50 cmThe overall dimensions of 30 cm × 30 cm × 50 cm define the robot's physical footprint and determine what spaces it can navigate and what clearances it requires for operation.
Battery Life
Not publicly specifiedWith a battery life of Not publicly specified, the Kuri can operate for sustained periods before requiring a recharge. Battery life is measured under typical operating conditions and may vary based on workload intensity and environmental factors.
Charging Time
Not publicly specifiedA charging time of Not publicly specified means the ratio of operation to downtime is an important consideration for applications requiring near-continuous availability. Some deployments use multiple robots in rotation to maintain uninterrupted service.
Maximum Speed
Not publicly specifiedA top speed of Not publicly specified is calibrated for the robot's primary operating environment and safety requirements.
The Kuri uses Autonomous home navigation and voice-triggered interaction as its intelligence backbone. This AI platform powers the robot's decision-making, perception processing, and autonomous behavior. The sophistication of the AI stack directly impacts how well the robot handles unexpected situations and adapts to new environments.
Kuri Sensor Suite
The Kuri integrates 4 sensor types, forming the perceptual foundation that enables autonomous operation.
This sensor configuration enables the Kuri to perceive its environment and operate autonomously in its intended use cases. Multiple sensor modalities provide redundancy and more robust perception than any single sensor type alone.
Explore sensor technologies: components glossary · full components directory
Kuri Use Cases & Applications
Companion robots provide social interaction, emotional support, and entertainment. Unlike utility robots, their primary value proposition is the relationship they build with their owner. The best companions learn preferences, develop personalities, and create genuine emotional connections.
Capabilities That Enable Real-World Use
The Kuri offers 5 distinct capabilities, each contributing to the robot's practical utility.
These capabilities work together with the robot's 4 onboard sensor types and Autonomous home navigation and voice-triggered interaction AI platform to deliver practical, real-world performance.
Ecosystem Integration
The Kuri integrates with the following platforms and ecosystems, extending its utility beyond standalone operation.
This ecosystem compatibility enables the Kuri to work as part of a broader automation setup rather than operating in isolation.
Kuri Capabilities
5
Capabilities
4
Sensor Types
AI
Autonomous home navigation a…
Autonomous navigation
Autonomous navigation allows the Kuri to move through its environment without human guidance, planning efficient paths around obstacles and adapting to changes in real time. For a companions robot, this involves simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) to build and maintain environmental models, path planning algorithms to find efficient routes, and reactive obstacle avoidance for unexpected situations. The complexity of autonomous navigation scales dramatically with the environment — navigating a structured warehouse is substantially different from navigating a cluttered home or outdoor space. The Kuri's navigation system must handle the specific challenges of its intended deployment scenarios reliably and repeatedly.
Additional Capabilities
Connectivity & Integration
How the Kuri communicates with your network, smart home devices, cloud services, and companion apps.
Network & Communication Protocols
Kuri Technology Stack Overview
The Kuri by Mayfield Robotics integrates 6 distinct technology components across sensing, connectivity, intelligence, and interaction layers. The physical platform features a height of 50 cm, a weight of 6 kg, a top speed of Not publicly specified, providing the foundation on which this technology stack operates.
Perception — 4 Sensor Types
The perception layer is built on 1080p HD camera, Laser sensor (mapping/localization/navigation), Capacitive touch sensors, Four-microphone array. These work in concert to give the robot a detailed understanding of its operating environment. This multi-sensor approach provides redundancy and enables the robot to function reliably even when individual sensors encounter challenging conditions such as low light, reflective surfaces, or cluttered spaces.
Connectivity — 1 Protocol
For communications, the Kuri relies on Wi-Fi. This connectivity stack ensures the robot can communicate with cloud services, local smart home devices, mobile apps, and other networked systems in its environment.
Intelligence — Autonomous home navigation and voice-triggered interaction
Autonomous home navigation and voice-triggered interaction serves as the computational brain, processing sensor data, making navigation decisions, and orchestrating the robot's autonomous behaviors. The quality of this AI platform directly influences how well the robot handles novel situations, adapts to changes in its environment, and improves its performance over time through learning.
Who Should Consider the Kuri?
Target Audience
Social and companion robots are purchased by families, elderly individuals, and tech enthusiasts looking for interactive, emotionally engaging robotic pets or social companions. They are particularly popular in Japan and increasingly in senior care contexts worldwide.
Key Considerations
Emotional expressiveness, interaction quality, voice recognition, personality development over time, and durability (especially for children) are what matter most. Privacy controls for cameras and microphones are increasingly important. Battery life determines how available the companion is throughout the day.
Price Context
Availability
DiscontinuedThe Kuri has been discontinued by Mayfield Robotics. It may still be available through secondary markets or refurbished channels.
Kuri: Strengths & Trade-offs
Engineering compromises and where this companions robot excels
What the Kuri does well
Solid sensor coverage
The Kuri integrates 4 sensor types, providing good perceptual coverage for its intended applications. This sensor complement covers the essential modalities needed for effective companions operation while keeping complexity manageable.
Accessible price point
At $699, the Kuri is competitively priced within the companions market. This price point makes the technology accessible to a broader audience and represents a lower barrier to entry for those exploring companions robotics.
What to consider carefully
Discontinued product
The Kuri has been discontinued by Mayfield Robotics. This means no new units are being manufactured, software updates may become infrequent or stop entirely, and replacement parts availability will eventually decline. Consider long-term support viability carefully if evaluating this robot through secondary markets.
Note: This strengths and trade-offs assessment is based on the Kuri's documented specifications as tracked in the ui44 database. Real-world performance depends on deployment conditions, firmware maturity, and environmental factors. For the most current information, check the Mayfield Robotics manufacturer page or visit the official product page. Use the comparison tool to evaluate these trade-offs against competing robots in the same category.
How Companions Robot Technology Works
Understanding the engineering behind this category
Companion robots sit at the intersection of engineering and emotional design. Unlike utility robots measured by specifications like suction power or payload capacity, companion robots are judged by how well they make people feel — their expressiveness, responsiveness, personality, and ability to form genuine-seeming bonds with their owners. The technology behind these emotional machines is surprisingly sophisticated, drawing from psychology, animation, and cutting-edge AI.
Navigation & Mobility
Companion robots typically operate in confined indoor spaces and prioritize safe, predictable movement over sophisticated mapping. Most use simple but effective navigation combining bump sensors, cliff detection, and basic obstacle avoidance. Some advanced models incorporate camera-based person-following — the ability to track and follow a specific person through rooms. Unlike utility robots that need systematic coverage, companion robots navigate toward social engagement: moving toward voices, approaching detected family members, or positioning themselves for optimal interaction. The movement itself is often designed to convey personality — a curious robot might lean forward when exploring, while a timid one might approach cautiously.
The Role of AI
AI is the heart of a companion robot's appeal. Emotion recognition systems analyze facial expressions, voice tone, and behavioral patterns to infer the user's emotional state and respond appropriately. Natural language processing enables conversational interaction that goes beyond simple command-response patterns. Personality systems create consistent behavioral traits that make the robot feel like an individual rather than a generic device. Machine learning allows the robot to adapt to its owner's preferences, schedule, and interaction style over time. The most advanced companion robots use generative AI to create novel responses and behaviors rather than relying solely on pre-programmed scripts, making interactions feel more natural and less repetitive.
Sensor Fusion & Perception
Companion robot sensors prioritize social perception over environmental mapping. Cameras detect faces, read expressions, and enable recognition of family members. Microphone arrays with beamforming capture and localize voice from across a room, enabling natural conversation without shouting. Touch sensors across the body detect petting, hugging, and other physical interaction, triggering appropriate emotional responses. Some models include heart-rate or breathing-rate sensors in their touch surfaces, enabling health-monitoring features for elderly users. Temperature and light sensors help the robot understand context — bedtime versus activity time — and adjust its behavior accordingly.
Power & Battery Management
Companion robots need to be available throughout the day to maintain the social bond with their owner. Battery life of eight hours or more is typical, with automatic return-to-charging-dock behavior when levels drop. Power management is designed to be invisible — the robot should seem always available and never interrupt a social moment to announce low battery. Some companion robots use sleep modes during inactive periods, with motion or sound detection to wake instantly when the owner approaches. Charging docks often double as the robot's designated resting spot, making the charging behavior feel natural rather than mechanical.
Safety by Design
Companion robots prioritize child and elderly safety with rounded corners, pinch-free joint designs, and materials safe for skin contact. Emotional safety is equally important — companion robots are designed to never express anger, fear, or distress in ways that could upset vulnerable users. Privacy features include physical camera covers, microphone mute buttons, and transparent data handling policies. For elderly users, companion robots may include fall-detection alerts, activity monitoring, and remote check-in features that balance safety with privacy. The robot's emotional responses are carefully calibrated to avoid over-attachment or dependency concerns.
What's Next for Companions Robots
Companion robotics is evolving toward more nuanced emotional intelligence, deeper personalization, and expanded health-monitoring capabilities. Advances in generative AI are enabling more natural and varied conversational interaction. Future companion robots may serve as health monitoring platforms that detect changes in an owner's mood, activity levels, or cognitive patterns — providing early warning of health issues to family members or caregivers. The integration of companion features into utility robots (and vice versa) may blur category boundaries, creating household robots that are both helpful and emotionally engaging.
The Kuri by Mayfield Robotics incorporates many of these technology pillars. For a detailed look at the specific sensors and components used in the Kuri, see the sensor analysis and connectivity sections above, or browse the complete components glossary for explanations of every technology used across the robotics industry.
Kuri in the Companions Market
How this robot compares in the companions landscape
Priced at $699, the Kuri sits in the mid-range of the companions market — a competitive tier where buyers expect a strong balance of features and value.
The Kuri's 4 sensor types provide solid perceptual coverage for its intended use cases. This mid-range sensor suite balances cost with capability, covering the essential modalities needed for companions applications.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Side-by-side specs, capability overlap analysis, and key differentiators.
For the full picture of Mayfield Robotics's portfolio and market strategy, visit the Mayfield Robotics manufacturer page.
Owning the Kuri: Setup, Maintenance & Tips
Practical guide from day one through years of ownership
Initial Setup
Companion robot setup is designed to be simple and engaging — the first interaction sets the tone for the relationship. Typical setup involves charging the robot, downloading the companion app, connecting to Wi-Fi, and going through an introduction sequence where the robot learns your face and name. Many companion robots have a personality development phase during the first few days, where they become more responsive and personalized as they learn your voice, habits, and preferences. Place the charging dock in a social area where the robot can be part of daily life rather than tucked away in a corner. Introduce the robot to all family members during setup so it can learn to recognize everyone.
Ongoing Maintenance
Companion robots generally require minimal maintenance. Weekly care includes wiping the exterior with a soft cloth, checking that sensors and cameras are clean, and ensuring the charging dock area is clear. Monthly tasks include checking for and installing software updates, cleaning any microphone or speaker grilles, and inspecting the wheels or locomotion system for hair or debris. The emotional design means that maintenance should feel like care rather than servicing — many owners naturally incorporate it into their interaction with the robot.
Software Updates & Long-Term Support
Software updates for companion robots often add new behaviors, expressions, voice capabilities, and interaction patterns. These updates keep the relationship fresh and can significantly enhance the robot's emotional range and social intelligence over time. Most companion robots update automatically during sleep or charging periods. Some manufacturers offer premium content subscriptions that add seasonal behaviors, educational content, or language capabilities.
Maximizing Longevity
Companion robots typically last three to five years or more with gentle handling. The primary concerns are battery health and physical wear from daily interaction. Avoid dropping the robot or handling it roughly, especially the camera and sensor areas. Keep the robot away from water and extreme temperatures. Battery life will gradually decrease over time; contact the manufacturer about battery replacement options when charging becomes noticeably more frequent. For children's companion robots, supervise initial interactions to establish gentle handling habits.
For Mayfield Robotics-specific support resources and documentation, visit the Mayfield Robotics page on ui44 or check the manufacturer's official website at Mayfield Robotics's product page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kuri?
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How current is the Kuri data on ui44?
Data Integrity
All Kuri data on ui44 is verified against official Mayfield Robotics sources, including spec sheets, product pages, and press releases. Last verified: 2026-03-03. Official source: Mayfield Robotics product page. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please let us know — accuracy is our top priority.
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