This AI Tamagotchi Turns Everyday Objects Into Needy Virtual Pets

Daehwa Kim, a Carnegie Mellon PhD student, has created OATs: small AI avatars on E Ink screens that attach to household objects and react to sensor readings. Inspired by Tamagotchi pets, they aim to encourage people to care for or use everyday items while bringing AI interactions beyond phone screens.

Sensors can track conditions such as moisture, temperature, light, occupancy and movement, with users setting behaviours through a web portal. The main module costs about $20, but battery life is only three to four days, or one day with a sound sensor, making OATs a proof of concept. Kim’s trials found people used them to show when objects were in use, warn nearby people, or track their own habits.