For now, the classic cuddly toy still lies mostly silent on the sofa or at the head of the bed. Yet as machines learn to speak, the role of these familiar objects that have accompanied people for generations is gradually beginning to change.
A Familiar Being
A cuddly toy has always been more than just a toy. It has been a listener, a projection surface, and a source of comfort in lonely or difficult hours—for people of all ages. Its effect never rested solely on its function, but on its quiet presence. Precisely because it demanded nothing, it could absorb much. In this reliability lay its true strength. Those who kept such a being often preserved a piece of childhood and emotional continuity. Yet this silence, long taken for granted, is now gradually beginning to change.
The Voice in the Room
Through the development of speech-capable artificial intelligence, the relationship between humans and objects is fundamentally changing. Devices no longer merely respond to commands—they also answer. The screen loses importance, while voice and physical presence come to the fore. An object in the room that occasionally reacts feels different from an app on a smartphone. It is not a tool, but a presence. A cuddly toy that occasionally speaks and interacts with its owner would therefore seem less like technology and more like an extension of a familiar counterpart.
Less Function, More Presence
The real change would not lie in new functions. Such a being would not need to explain, organize, or control anything. It would be enough to react occasionally. A short sentence, a quiet comment, or even just a sign of attention would suffice. This restraint, in particular, would be decisive. Constant communication would be intrusive, because meaning arises from rarity. The object would thus not become a conversational partner, but a form of unobtrusive companionship.
A Response to Isolation
In an increasingly individualized society, this perspective gains weight. Technical devices may be ubiquitous, yet they rarely create closeness. What is missing is not information, but presence. An object that can perceive and respond could create a subtle form of companionship—not as a substitute for human relationships, but as a quiet addition to everyday life. The appearance of a cuddly toy, in particular, would lend credibility to this development. For decades, it has been part of private spaces and emotional routines.
The Manufacturers’ Restraint
It is striking how cautiously many traditional companies are reacting to these new possibilities. While technology corporations are working on voice-enabled assistants, classic manufacturers remain faithful to the familiar. In parts of Asia, particularly in China, progress is already further advanced. There, the first plush and companion figures equipped with artificial intelligence are already being tested and quietly integrated into everyday life—almost incidentally. European brands, by contrast, hesitate. The fusion of emotionally charged objects with intelligent technology still appears risky to them. A being that listens and is always available could simulate social closeness and thus shift the boundary between genuine and artificial attachment. The responsible handling of personal data and sensitive conversations is likewise far from resolved.
A New Development
Cuddly toys with their own voice are still rare. Yet the prerequisites for them are in place. Artificial intelligence can listen, respond, and adapt. The technology is now small and unobtrusive. Above all, however, the need for quiet companionship is growing. For this very reason, a new category is emerging here: things with minimal personality that are neither toy nor machine. For the children of the coming years, this development will likely be self-evident. They will grow up with beings that react and occasionally respond. What still seems unusual today could become as normal for them as the silent stuffed toy once lying on the pillow.
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