Sony’s home robot is the cutest way to order coffee

Sony’s Xperia Agent is just a prototype, but it’s the nearest thing I’ve seen to a home robot I might actually want to buy. The core of the Agent is a digital assistant like Siri and Alexa, that lets you complete tasks like checking your calendar and calling contacts. But, Sony being Sony, there’s also a cute hardware element — a little robot companion with animated eyes that dances when you play music. This doesn’t add any extra functionality, but it’s just, well, fun. And why shouldn’t robots be fun?

The Agent was first unveiled by Sony last year, but the company has added some functionality to it since then. At IFA in Berlin, a couple of demo units were on display, showing how the Agent could act as a hub for your smart home. The bots were connected to a sound system, a TV, and a coffee machine, and under the instructions of Sony’s assistants, were able to play music, pull up movie trailers, and order a steaming double espresso.

First, you get the Agent’s attention by pressing down on its spherical head (which also contains a camera). This part is just for the demo, says Sony, as was the use of a microphone to compensate for the crowded show floor. The Agent then asks if you want a coffee, and options pop up on the touchscreen display for you to specify how strong you want it. Then just pop a cup under the machine and away you go. Useful and time-saving? No. Adorable and futuristic? Absolutely.

Are Sony’s robotic theatrics a necessity for this sort of smart home hub? No, of course not, but some consumers might like them anyway. It’s fun when weird, futuristic like home robots slowly become a reality, but it’s even better when it looks and feels like the future too.