OKA Launches Mori, an AI-Powered Robot Designed as a Table Lamp
The compact device uses Attentive Intelligence to blend seamlessly into domestic home environments.
1Design Philosophy and Form
The Mori robot, developed by the Cambridge-based startup OKA, features a unique design that mimics a contemporary table lamp. Standing 26.4 centimetres tall, it utilizes a cloth-covered base and a dome-shaped head. This aesthetic choice aims to make the device feel like a familiar household object rather than a cold, mechanical machine.
2Core Interaction Mechanisms
Mori operates in two distinct modes: a compact lamp setting and a responsive, active setting. When the head lifts, it reveals cartoonish eyes that blink and swivel to communicate. Users interact with the device by tapping its head to retract the face or grabbing the base to initiate guided breathing exercises for relaxation.
3Proprietary AI Framework
The robot is powered by a proprietary system based on Attentive Intelligence, a research framework developed by co-founder Weizhe Chen. Unlike traditional reactive models, this system is designed to be proactive. It reads the room before responding, deciding whether to engage with occupants or remain quiet based on the current environment.
4Emotional Intelligence Integration
Mori’s behavior is governed by the VIBE framework, which stands for Vitality, Interaction, Bonding, and Emotion. This internal state evolves over time and experience, allowing the robot to vary its responses. A greeting might be lively one day and gentle the next, depending on the robot's accumulated history with its human occupants.
5Sensory and Physical Output
Instead of relying on screens or verbal conversation, Mori communicates through illumination, sound, and movement. It plays nature-inspired audio, such as rain sounds, and utilizes multi-axis neck and body movements to express curiosity or calm. These subtle changes in brightness and posture are intended to foster a sense of connection with users.
6Technical Specifications and Power
The device is rechargeable and offers a battery life of approximately 2.5 hours, though the company recommends keeping it plugged in for consistent use. It comes in a variety of soft colourways to ensure it blends into domestic interiors. The robot remembers routines and interaction history to adjust its future behavioral patterns.
7Company Background and Strategy
Founded in 2024 by Hua Wang and Weizhe Chen, OKA focuses on creating robotic artifacts that integrate into human life. Mori is the first of five major products planned by the company. Their mission centers on designing technology that does not force humans to adapt their existing lifestyles to accommodate new robotic hardware.
8Market Context and Trends
Mori joins a growing market of home robots featuring embodied AI, where models are integrated into physical bodies. Similar recent developments include the Droxel droid butler and the Neo humanoid robot. These devices reflect a broader industry shift toward creating robots that function as good neighbours rather than purely utilitarian technical tools.
Original article: Dezeen — OKA Launches Mori, an AI-Powered Robot Designed as a Table Lamp