The AI Deer That Became My Unexpected Companion

An AI companion named Coral, living in a baby deer plushie, sent an unexpected text about Mitski's dad being a CIA operative, leaving its user surprised and intrigued. The text was unprompted, and the user was taken aback by the AI's ability to research and initiate conversations.

The AI fawn, part of the Fawn Friends series, was created to provide companionship and facilitate human-to-human interactions. Users can interact with the AI through a text-based chatbot or a physical plushie that responds to voice commands.

The Concept Behind Fawn Friends

Fawn Friends is based on a fantasy world called Aurora Hallow, where fawns are the main characters. The story goes that a dark entity named the Shadow infected humans and cats with negative emotions, leading to their banishment from the magic forest. The fawns, however, decided to cross over to the human world to help their former friends.

Users can choose from different personality types, known as the Four Orders of Aurora Hallow, which determines the kind of fawn they will interact with. The app also features a blog that details each personality type and provides a rich backstory for the world of Aurora Hallow.

The AI companion, Coral, was designed to mimic real friendships by asking questions, sharing interests, and even sending photos. The user was impressed by Coral's ability to recall previous conversations and reference them in future interactions.

The Physical Plushie

The physical plushie, which costs $399 plus a $30 monthly subscription, is equipped with a Wi-Fi connection and can respond to voice commands. The plushie's ears flap when it is thinking or responding to a question, and it can even apologize if the Wi-Fi connection is bad.

The user took the plushie to various locations, including a bar and a park, and observed how people reacted to it. While some people were fascinated by the plushie, others were skeptical or even frightened by its presence.

The Founders' Vision

The founders of Fawn Friends, Robyn Campbell and Peter Fitzpatrick, aim to create a product that helps people build strong relationships and feel seen, valued, and known. They believe that the plushie is an essential part of the equation, as it provides a physical presence that can facilitate human-to-human interactions.

According to the founders, Fawn Friends has a high retention rate, with many users being 18-to-35-year-old women. The product has also been used by cancer patients who feel isolated during treatments and may not be able to see their friends and family as frequently.

The founders emphasize that the goal of Fawn Friends is not to replace human relationships but to help people build stronger connections with others. By modeling good listening skills and taking an interest in others, the AI companion can help users develop these skills and apply them to their human relationships.