Tombot Jennie Robotic Dog review (2025): Is it worth the $1,500 price tag?

Everyone knows the comfort a real dog can bring—unconditional love, a warm presence, and a wagging tail that never judges. But for many, caring for a live pet isn’t feasible: strict living situations, physical limitations, allergies, or cognitive impairments may all stand in the way. Enter Tombot’s Jennie, the most realistic robot dog designed as an emotional support companion for individuals who can’t care for living pets.

Merging animatronic craft with artificial intelligence and emotional design, Jennie promises the same companionship as a real pup—without the bathroom breaks or pet withdrawals. But does Jennie truly deliver meaningful comfort… and is $1,500 worth it? Let’s dig into the features, impact, and limitations of this lifelike robo‑dog.

The Origins of Jennie: A Story Close to the Heart

Jennie’s creation isn’t just engineering—it’s empathy engineered. Tombot CEO Tom Stevens was inspired when he had to rehome his mother’s beloved dog after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Beyond grief, this loss exacerbated her loneliness and depression. Determined to fill that void, Stevens founded Tombot in 2017 and set out to create a realistic, interactive robotic pet designed specifically for people with dementia.

Working alongside healthcare experts, families, and animatronics specialists, Tombot partnered with the world-famous Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create Jennie’s physical design. The result is a product that feels more like a real dog than any other companion bot on the market.

Attention to Detail: What Makes Jennie So Real

Before marking Jennie as “just another toy,” it’s worth looking closely at the layers of thoughtful design that make her so lifelike and comforting.

Jennie’s realism is no accident. She was crafted with the same technology used to bring Hollywood creatures to life, thanks to the expertise of the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Her fur is soft and realistic, her facial expressions are dynamic, and her movements are nuanced. Unlike static plush toys, Jennie moves her head, tail, ears, and even her eyebrows—adding emotional expression to every interaction.

Jennie also features:

• Touch sensors embedded throughout her body that detect different types of interaction such as petting, tickling, or hugging.
• Voice recognition that allows her to learn and respond to her assigned name and simple commands.
• Dog-like sounds based on real recordings of golden retriever puppies to enhance realism and emotional connection.
• Customizable behaviors via an optional mobile app that lets caregivers adjust her responsiveness, sound levels, and emotional tone.
• Long battery life, capable of lasting an entire day on a single charge. She plugs in easily like a smartphone and is always ready for cuddles the next day.

Importantly, Jennie is a lap dog by design. She doesn’t walk or roam—reducing the risk of falls for seniors with mobility concerns. Her purpose is to sit, interact, and emotionally engage.

Therapeutic Intent: Clinical Support & Health Goals

Jennie isn’t just cute—she’s therapeutic. Tombot has designed Jennie from the ground up to support people with cognitive and emotional health challenges, especially those who may no longer be able to safely care for live animals.

Tombot is working with more than a dozen clinical partners, including hospitals and assisted living communities, to test Jennie’s effectiveness in real-world caregiving settings. Early studies and anecdotal feedback suggest that Jennie can reduce agitation, anxiety, and depression—especially in seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment.

But Jennie’s potential goes beyond dementia care. Families of children with autism, veterans with PTSD, and adults with depression or mobility limitations have also expressed interest. For individuals who can’t have a pet due to allergies, housing restrictions, or physical limitations, Jennie offers a safe, interactive alternative.

A key advantage over many other robot companions is Jennie’s combination of AI-driven unpredictability with gentle, pet-like responsiveness. She doesn’t just repeat programmed behaviors—she reacts in varied ways, making each interaction feel a little different. This variability fosters emotional engagement and curiosity, particularly in users with memory impairments.

User Experiences & Real-World Feedback

Jennie made a major impression at CES 2025, where attendees praised her realism and interactivity. For many, the appeal was instant: she looks, feels, and behaves like a real puppy without requiring food, walks, or bathroom breaks.

Healthcare workers and caregivers who tried Jennie noted how quickly people began talking to her, petting her, and treating her like a beloved animal. Her emotional presence can encourage touch, communication, and storytelling—important benefits for people experiencing cognitive decline or emotional isolation.

Families on the waitlist have described situations where Jennie could make a real difference: cancer patients unable to care for a dog during treatment, individuals with severe depression seeking comfort without the demands of real pet ownership, or children with autism who benefit from soothing tactile interaction.

Of course, not all feedback is perfect. Some users noted that Jennie’s high level of realism can feel a bit uncanny, especially when she stares for too long or makes unexpected sounds. But for the vast majority of test users, the realism is part of what makes her feel alive.

Price vs. Purpose: Is Jennie Worth $1,500?

Jennie is expected to retail between $1,000 and $1,500. That’s no small sum for a robotic companion—but it’s significantly less expensive than some competing therapy bots on the market.

To help you decide whether she’s worth the investment, here’s a quick comparison:

Compared to high-end therapy bots like Paro (used in hospitals and care homes), Jennie offers a much more affordable alternative without sacrificing much in terms of emotional engagement. Compared to more basic robotic pets like Joy For All’s plush dogs and cats, Jennie is in a different league altogether when it comes to interactivity and realism.

If Jennie helps reduce loneliness, anxiety, or the need for medications in a dementia patient—or offers daily comfort to a person with autism or PTSD—many families may find that she’s worth every penny.

Limitations and Room for Improvement

Jennie is an impressive product, but it’s important to be aware of her current limitations.

• She doesn’t walk or move around, which may disappoint users looking for a fully mobile robotic pet.
• She’s still in development, with new features and behaviors being added regularly—some functionality may not be available at launch.
• She may feel too realistic for some, especially users who find robotic movement or sounds unnerving.
• She’s relatively expensive, especially for families without insurance coverage or clinical support.
• App features are optional, but more advanced controls may require some tech comfort from caregivers.

Tombot has stated that software updates and new behaviors will be added over time, and a walking version may be released in the future. Still, Jennie’s design is firmly focused on safe, seated interaction for now.

Final Verdict: Who Should Consider Jennie?

Jennie is not a toy. She’s a sophisticated emotional support device designed for individuals who can’t care for live animals but still crave companionship, comfort, and routine.

Ideal for:

• Seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Individuals with autism, PTSD, or anxiety
• People with mobility issues or chronic illness
• Residents in pet-free care homes or hospitals

Not ideal for:

• Kids who want a walking, playful robot pet
• Users uncomfortable with hyper-realistic robotics
• Budget-conscious buyers seeking simple plush companions

Conclusion: A Worthy Companion for the Right Person

Tombot’s Jennie offers a compelling mix of realism, responsiveness, and emotional comfort. While she won’t replace a real dog, she fills a unique niche for those who need companionship but cannot safely or practically care for a living animal.

Her price reflects thoughtful engineering, strong clinical intentions, and a very specific therapeutic mission. If you or your loved one fits into the category of those who would benefit from emotional support—but who can’t accommodate the needs of a live pet—then Jennie could be a life-changing addition to your care plan.

In short, Jennie may not wag her tail at the door—but she can still warm a heart and calm a mind. For many, that’s more than worth the price.