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Robotic dog helps those facing mental health and cognitive challenges

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Robotic dog helps those facing mental health and cognitive challenges

U.S. robotics company Tombot has introduced Jennie, an innovative AI-powered robotic pet designed to provide comfort and companionship to those facing cognitive health challenges.

This groundbreaking creation is set to transform the lives of millions struggling with dementia, mild cognitive impairment and various mental health issues.

AI-powered robotic dog. (Tombot)

The birth of Jennie

Jennie’s inception stems from a personal tragedy experienced by Tombot CEO Tom Stevens. When his mother, Nancy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to rehome her beloved dog, Golden Bear. 

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This difficult choice led to increased loneliness and depression for Nancy. Recognizing the widespread need for a solution, Stevens founded Tombot with the mission to create a robotic companion that could provide the emotional benefits of pet ownership without the associated challenges.

AI-powered robotic dog with its companion. (Tombot)

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Cutting-edge design and technology

Jennie’s lifelike appearance is the result of a collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, renowned for creating the iconic Muppets. This artistic partnership has resulted in a hyperrealistic Labrador retriever puppy that captures the essence of a real dog.

Jennie features an impressive array of interactive technologies designed to create a lifelike and engaging companion experience. The robotic puppy features sophisticated interactive touch sensors strategically placed across its body, allowing it to respond authentically to human touch and interaction. When a user pets or touches Jennie, the advanced sensor technology enables nuanced, realistic reactions that mimic a real puppy’s behavior.

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Voice command recognition technology allows Jennie to understand and respond to verbal instructions, creating an incredibly realistic puppy-like interaction. Users can give commands like “speak” or “sit,” and Jennie will react accordingly, providing a sense of genuine companionship and responsiveness.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

To enhance its authenticity, Jennie’s sounds are meticulously crafted from actual recordings of 8- to 10-week-old Labrador puppies. These genuine puppy sounds create an incredibly immersive experience, making interactions feel remarkably true to life and emotionally engaging.

The robotic puppy is engineered for practical, everyday use with an impressive all-day battery life. Users can simply plug Jennie in overnight, similar to charging a smartphone, ensuring the companion is ready for full daily interaction without interruption.

A dedicated smartphone app provides users with extensive customization options. Through this digital interface, owners can name their Jennie, personalize its functionality and track daily interactions, adding another layer of personal connection to the robotic pet experience.

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Tombot is committed to continuous improvement, offering regular software updates that will introduce new behaviors and commands. This approach ensures that Jennie remains dynamic and evolving, with the potential for expanding capabilities over time through simple app-based upgrades.

AI-powered robotic dog specs. (Tombot)

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The impact of Jennie on mental health

Jennie was specifically designed to address the needs of individuals facing various health challenges:

Dementia and mild cognitive impairment: Peer-reviewed studies suggest that robotic animals can help ease symptoms such as hallucinations and aggressive outbursts.

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Anxiety and depression: Jennie provides comfort and support for those struggling with mental health issues.

Loneliness: The robotic puppy offers companionship to seniors and others experiencing isolation.

Stress: Jennie can help alleviate psychological stress in long-term hospital patients.

AI-powered robotic dog. (Tombot)

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Future prospects

Tombot aims to register Jennie as an FDA-regulated medical device, potentially expanding its use in hospitals and care facilities. With over 7,500 preorders from homes, hospitals and care centers, Jennie is poised to make a significant impact in the field of robotic companionship.

AI-powered robotic dog. (Tombot)

A cost-effective alternative

Priced at $449, Jennie offers an affordable and accessible alternative to live pet ownership. This is particularly beneficial for those who cannot safely or practically care for a real animal due to health or living conditions. To join the Jennie waitlist, prospective owners can click the link on Tombot’s website, and the company will directly contact you with specific pricing details and shipping availability as the next production batch approaches.

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Companion with AI-powered robotic dog with its companion. (Tombot)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Jennie represents a significant step forward in addressing the emotional and companionship needs of those facing cognitive and mental health challenges. By combining cutting-edge technology with a compassionate approach, Tombot has created a solution that could improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.

Do you think AI robotic companions like Jennie could provide genuine comfort and emotional support in your life or the life of a loved one? Why or why not? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle

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OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle

OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.

In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”

To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.

It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.

In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.

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Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”

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Is that traffic ticket text a scam or real?

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Is that traffic ticket text a scam or real?

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:

“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”

If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.

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  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US

This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What the traffic ticket scam text looks like

At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.

The biggest red flags in this message

Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.

9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU

1) The phone number makes no sense

The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.

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2) No name, just “Dear Driver”

Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.

3) The link isn’t a real DMV website

The message includes this link:

ca.mnvtl.life/dmv

That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.

4) Urgency and threats

The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.

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5) Asking you to reply to proceed

The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.

6) Generic language and odd phrasing

Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.

7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you

The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.

INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU

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Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What this means for you

Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data.  State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.

Why these scams keep working

These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.

Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams

Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:

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1) Do not click the link

If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.

2) Use strong antivirus software

If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

3) Verify directly with the DMV

Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.

4) Check the sender carefully

Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.

5) Ignore generic greetings

Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.

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6) Consider a data removal service

Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

7) Block and report the number

On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.

8) Turn on spam filtering

Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.

Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes

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Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes

Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.

In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.

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