In addition to the robot being bricked, Embodied noted that warranty, repair services, associated native apps and guides, and support staff will no longer be accessible.
“Unable to offer refund”
Embodied said it is “unable” to offer refunds to most Moxy owners due to its “financial condition and impending dissolution.” The possible exception is for those who have purchased Moxie within 30 days. For those customers, Embodied said that “if the company or its assets are sold, we will do our best to prioritize refunds for purchases,” but stressed that this is not a guarantee.
The startup also acknowledged complications for people who purchased expensive robots through a third-party lender. Embodied advised such customers to contact their lender, but it's possible some people will be paying interest on a toy that no longer works.
Embodied said it is looking for another company to buy Moxi. If that happens, according to Embodied, the new company will receive Embodied customer data and determine how it can use it. terms of ServiceOtherwise, Embodied said it “securely” erases user data “in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable law,” which includes removing personally identifiable information from Embodied systems.
Another smart gadget bites the dust
Currently, there is Some? There is hope that Moxies can be revived. Things look grim for Moxie owners, but we've seen failed smart device companies insteonGet revived first. It is also possible that someone will release it Open-source version of the product, as it is designed for Spotify Car Thingwhich is officially spotify bricks Today,
But the short-term, expensive nature of moxie is exactly why some groups, such as right-to-repair activists, Advancing the Federal Trade Commission To regulate smart devices more strongly, especially when it comes to disclosures and commitments regarding software support. As smart gadget makers try to determine how to deal with challenging economic scenarios, owners of a variety of smart devices—from aerogarden for indoor gardening system Snoo Bassinets-Had to deal with consequences including broken equipment and paywalled facilities. Last month, the FTC noted that smart device makers that don't commit to software support breaking the law,
For Moxie owners, the frustration comes not just from the waste of money and e-waste creation, but also from the pain of giving a child a technological “companion” to grow with and then suddenly taking it away.
This story was originally published on Ars Technica,