AI companion toys surge 1,600% in China - here's the sales playbook
China's AI toy market just posted a 1,600% year-on-year jump in smart companion sales. AI companions also took center stage at CES 2026, with Chinese enterprises representing more than 80% of the 60 companies in this segment.
These devices learn user habits, keep conversations going, and build long-term emotional ties. For sales teams, this signals strong demand, fast product cycles, and buyers who respond to comfort, routine, and trust.
What's selling right now
- Sweekar (Takway.AI): a palm-sized "pocket pet" that progresses through physical life stages over time. It feels warm, appears to breathe, and is expected to launch between $150 and $200 - a friendly price for mass adoption and gifting.
- Fuzozo (Robopoet): a soft toy tuned for younger audiences that became a top seller during the Double 11 shopping event, signaling strong family and gift-driven demand.
Analysts see emotional AI as a fresh consumption driver across children and young adults. The throughline is simple: these products offer comfort, routine, and a sense of being heard.
Sales opportunities you can act on this quarter
- Positioning: Lead with "daily companionship" and "consistent support," not raw specs. Emphasize warmth, physical cues, and habit learning - that's what buyers talk about.
- Personas that convert: parents seeking safe companions for kids, young adults living alone, collectors of new tech, and gift buyers during promotions.
- Bundles that lift AOV: protective cases, themed skins, charging docks, and content subscriptions (stories, routines, language packs).
- Pricing strategy: Use Sweekar's $150-$200 as your anchor. Create "Good / Better / Best" tiers with accessories, longer warranties, and premium content trials.
- Post-purchase motion: Onboard users with day-1 routines, name-the-companion prompts, and weekly "new tricks" updates to improve retention and cut returns.
Go-to-market channels that work
- E-commerce first: Tmall, JD, and Douyin are built for discovery, reviews, and live demos. Short, human moments in livestreams beat technical deep dives.
- Retail touchpoints: Pop-up kiosks where people can hold the device and feel the "warmth" effect. This sensory moment closes hesitations.
- Influencers and communities: Parent creators, toy reviewers, and wellness micro-creators drive trust. Use affiliate links and limited bundles to spur action.
- Service as a sales lever: Highlight fast support, easy returns, and optional damage protection. Peace of mind converts fence-sitters.
Objections you'll hear and how to handle them
- "Is my data safe?" Be clear about what's stored, where, and how it's used. Offer local processing where possible and an easy "erase my data" option.
- "Is it kid-safe?" Show parental controls, content filters, and usage time caps. Provide a one-page safety checklist in the box.
- "Will it last?" Share expected battery health, firmware update cadence, and spare parts availability. Offer extended warranties to de-risk the buy.
- "Will it get boring?" Demo weekly content drops, seasonal packs, and new routines unlocked over time. Sell subscriptions as "freshness insurance."
Compliance and trust (make this visible in your pitch)
Data privacy and ethics are front and center for buyers and regulators. Familiarity with China's Personal Information Protection Law helps teams answer tough questions with confidence - keep your privacy stance simple, accessible, and consistent across channels.
Reference: PIPL (English translation)
Metrics that predict repeatable sales
- 30-day activation: daily interactions, routine completion, and content downloads.
- Attachment rate: percent of orders with accessories or subscriptions.
- Return rate and reasons: track "expectation gap" and fix your product page copy accordingly.
- Support lag to resolution: faster responses increase review scores and referral volume.
- LTV vs. CAC: include warranty upsells and content ARPU in your LTV model.
What's next for your pipeline
Expect more lifelike cues (warmth, breathing, haptics) and tighter links between physical changes and the companion's emotional model. With Chinese firms leading the pack, you'll see quick refreshes, limited editions, and accessories that create reason to buy again.
Prepare inventory for gifting cycles, set up region-specific privacy disclosures, and keep your demo scripts short, warm, and human. People buy the feeling before they buy the tech.
Upskill your team
If your sellers need fast, practical training on AI products and buyer objections, explore role-based resources here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
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