Our take
Jennie is a life-size Labrador puppy animated by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, built specifically for people with dementia, and backed by $15M+ in funding.
Our take in full, what's good, what's not
Jennie is a life-size Labrador puppy animated by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, built specifically for people with dementia, and backed by $15M+ in funding. It is also, as of September 2026, a waitlist. The first 'litter' sold out, shipments have slipped from late 2025 to 'late 2026', the price has not been published (the CEO has cited ~$1,500), and there is no peer-reviewed outcome data. Our advice is on the comparison page: do not wait for Jennie if someone needs a companion now. Join the waitlist anyway; it is free.
- Purpose-built for dementia: rechargeable, voice commands, realistic Labrador puppy sounds
- Pursuing FDA medical-device recognition (not yet cleared)
- Free waitlist, no deposit
- Not shipping; multiple slipped dates
- Price unconfirmed and roughly 8x a Joy for All
- No published outcome data; all claims are company-reported
Who it's for
Join the waitlist if you can wait; buy a Joy for All if you cannot.
Who it's not for
- Price unconfirmed and roughly 8x a Joy for All
- No published outcome data; all claims are company-reported
Specs
| Price | ~$1,500 (unconfirmed) |
| Moves | Stationary (lap/desk) |
| App / Wi-Fi | Not needed |
| Battery | Rechargeable |
| Weight | ~6.5 lb |
| Subscription | None announced (free smartphone app... |
| Warranty | Not published |
All specs, in full
- Battery
- Rechargeable; Tombot says charge overnight for all-day use (exact hours not published)
- Weight
- ~6.5 lb (~3 kg) per CEO interview (Dec 2025)
- Size
- Life-size 12-week-old Labrador puppy (exact dimensions not published)
- Materials / fur
- Hypoallergenic, microbe-resistant fur; animatronics by Jim Henson's Creature Shop
- Sensors
- Touch sensors across the body (responds to location and pressure of petting); voice command recognition
- Sounds
- Recorded sounds from a real 12-week-old Labrador puppy
- Movement
- Stationary lap companion by design — animated head, tail, body; deliberately does not walk
- Subscription
- None announced (free smartphone app for naming/customization/updates)
- Warranty
- Not published
Opens the retailer in a new tab. You buy from them; they handle delivery, returns and warranty. We may earn a commission — it never changes our pick.
Buying for someone with dementia? Read what caregivers should know first — batteries dying at night, muting, washing, and how to introduce it without it backfiring.
Notable features
- Designed specifically for seniors with dementia and people with mental-health needs
- Heartbeat that quickens when petted; dozens of voice commands
- Companion app to rename, customize, and push software updates
- Pursuing FDA recognition as a medical device (not yet cleared/approved as of Sept 2026)
- CES 2026 Innovation showcase; ~18,000–19,000 preorder/waitlist customers in 116 countries incl. 500+ B2B customers
Limitations reported by owners and reviewers
- Not shipping to customers as of Sept 2026 — first litter 'sold out'; first shipments targeted 'late 2026' after multiple slips (earlier targets: late 2025/early 2026)
- Final price unconfirmed; ~$1,500 target is far above Joy for All
- FDA status is 'pursuing', not cleared — no reimbursement pathway yet
- Does not walk or roam (by design)
Evidence and real-world use
- Company states it is pursuing FDA medical-device regulation and eventual insurance reimbursement (PicMii Reg CF offering; WTOP CES 2026)
- Real-world pilot demos in care settings shown at CES 2026 (WTOP, Jan 2026)
- Raised $7M Series A3 (2025) plus $8.8M+ total equity incl. Reg CF rounds
How we know this, and sources
Specs and prices come from the manufacturer's own pages and press releases, checked on September 5, 2026; owner-reported limitations come from published reviews and caregiver forums. We have not yet tested this unit hands-on — what that means. Price confidence: low. Confirm on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Price note: No published list price. CEO Tom Stevens has cited a ~$1,500 launch target (Dec 2025 interview; WTOP CES 2026 coverage). Tombot.com states pricing and availability will be sent to waitlist members closer to shipping. Free waitlist; no deposit found.
- tombot.com/
- tombot.com/pages/meet-our-puppies
- wtop.com/tech/2026/01/tombots-jennie-puppy-steals-hearts-at-ces-2026-with-rea...
- robotsgoodorbad.com/jennie-the-robot-puppy-tom-stevens-interview/
- www.picmiicrowdfunding.com/deal/Tombot/
Image: Photo: Tombot, Inc. press release — source.
