Roadmap
Where Robi is headed.
Robi is being built in the open. Here is where it is now, what comes next, and what comes later — the honest version, misses included, and without hard dates.
Now · Next · Later
Phases, not promises.
We work in phases instead of hard dates. What is on the bench today, what we are building next, and what comes after — and what has already landed.
Suggest an ideaNow
In development.
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Being refined Preparing the next Robi We’re refining the hardware for the first units beyond the prototype. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
A familiar set of controls should keep working as listening interests change.
Where it stands
The prototype is in use. We’re refining the hardware for the first units beyond it.
What comes next
Build and test those units, then learn from families using them.
Next
Up next.
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Exploring options Your music streaming service We’re exploring ways to bring the services your family already uses to Robi. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
Families already have favourite music and playlists. We want to understand how those can fit into listening on Robi.
Where it stands
Our Spotify Connect application is pending. We’re also looking into other services and approaches; no service integration is confirmed for release.
What comes next
Evaluate access, playback controls, and what works away from Wi-Fi before committing to a service. Offline streaming support is not yet confirmed.
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Exploring access Library books with Libby We’re exploring a way to listen to borrowed library audiobooks on Robi. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
A library card could open up a much larger listening shelf without buying every audiobook.
Where it stands
We’ve applied for access to the platform behind Libby and are waiting for a response. Library borrowing on Robi is not available yet.
What comes next
Confirm what access is possible, including playback and offline listening, before building the borrowing experience.
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Planned Your colours Silicone sleeves in the colours kids actually pick, planned for launch. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
A familiar object can still feel like your own. Colour gives families a way to make that choice.
Where it stands
Silicone sleeves in a choice of colours are planned for launch.
What comes next
Test the sleeve fit and finish and settle the colour choices.
Later
Further out. Still taking shape.
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In progress Everything in the open Every design file and every line of code published before launch, open on a two-year clock. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
Families and makers should be able to understand, repair, and build on what they own.
Where it stands
Fair-source licensing terms are published. The plan is to publish every design file and every line of code before launch, with a two-year path to open-source licensing.
What comes next
Keep publishing the remaining work with clear licensing and documentation.
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Planned Kickstarter Preorders open so families can be there when Robi ships. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
Preorders will help us take Robi from prototypes to units for more families.
Where it stands
The campaign is being prepared. Preorders are not open yet.
What comes next
Bring the product and campaign together, with clear scope and delivery expectations before anyone commits.
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Planned Robi in a box Assembled units, with the red handle already on, for families who would rather not build one. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
Listening should not depend on wanting to assemble a project yourself.
Where it stands
Assembled units with the red handle are part of the plan, alongside the work we publish for makers.
What comes next
Work through assembly, setup, and support so families can get from opening the box to listening.
Complete
Already delivered.
Capabilities already working in the app or on the prototype, alongside what we’ve published. Each card explains its current scope; Robi is still being prepared for release.
Working in the app Stories you make together Create a story around your child’s ideas, review every word, then choose a narrator or record it yourself. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
A child’s idea can become a story you shape and read together, with the parent in control of what gets heard.
Where it stands
Choose a hero, theme, and age range, then review the generated text. You can choose a narrator or record it yourself. Story generation currently needs an internet connection and sign-in.
What comes next
Refine the experience for beta, including getting started, narration recovery, and reliable deletion across devices.
Working in the app Curate from your phone Add podcasts by RSS, your own music and your own recorded voice from the companion app. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
Parents can choose the listening library on their phone, then let their child use Robi’s physical controls.
Where it stands
The companion app supports podcasts, audio files you own, and your recorded voice.
What comes next
Refine how content is added, organised, and kept in sync with Robi for beta.
Working on the prototype Offline-first playback Saved audio keeps playing without Wi-Fi, and the companion app can still control Robi over Bluetooth. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
A story should keep going through a car ride or a patchy connection, with parents still able to control playback from their phone.
Where it stands
Audio saved on Robi plays without an internet connection. When Robi loses Wi-Fi, a nearby paired phone can use the companion app as a Bluetooth remote. Downloading new content still needs a connection; streaming services have their own requirements.
What comes next
Keep testing offline playback and the handover between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in everyday use.
Published A standard to build against Four design principles: a player children can use, parent control, no selling to children, and an open build. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
These principles give families a way to judge our choices, and give us a consistent test for what belongs in Robi.
Where it stands
The About page sets out all four: it belongs to the child; the parent defines the world; our children are not products; and the work is built in the open.
What comes next
Keep applying these principles to the hardware, app, and listening experience as Robi develops.
Published Licensing written down The licensing plan explains what families and makers can use, change, and build—and when each layer opens. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
People should be able to see what they can do with the software and designs, and which parts will remain closed.
Where it stands
The For makers page describes the planned terms for firmware, hardware, the app, API documentation, and cloud services. This milestone is the published licensing plan; it does not mean every source repository is public yet.
What comes next
Publish each repository with its applicable license and conversion terms as the source and design files are released.
Published Building in the open Public build notes document how Robi is taking shape, including the changes and setbacks. Read moreClose details
Why it matters
Families and makers can follow the decisions behind Robi and see what has actually been tried.
Where it stands
The build notes collect the work as it happens, with unfinished work and setbacks included.
What comes next
Keep adding notes as the hardware and app develop, including what testing changes.
Built in the open
We publish the build as we go.
We write the build down as it happens, not as a launch story later. Unfinished work is labelled unfinished. This page moves as the work does.
The work is written up as it happens, misses included. How Robi opens up · Build notes
Follow along
Watch it come together.
Everything is engineered in the open. Follow the repositories, read the notes as they go out, or wait for the one email.
Follow the build
Be there when Robi ships.
One email when preorders open. Build notes in between if you want them. Nothing else.
Join the waitlist