SE X-Bot Is Trending: Tomy Shares the Story Behind It
Opening
For SEDOLL, SE X-Bot is more than a new product. It is a milestone in our move from static realism to dynamic interaction. As AI technology changes the way people imagine companionship, SE X-Bot represents SEDOLL’s first major step toward a more responsive companion experience — starting with Annika, our first AI companion head.
But SE X-Bot did not appear overnight. To understand where it came from, we spoke with Tomy, the product creator behind it.
Q1: Tomy, where did the idea for SE X-Bot begin?
Tomy:
The idea actually goes back to 2017, when we first tried to enter the robotics field.
At that time, we were thinking very big. We wanted to build a full-body robot that could move, interact, and maybe one day serve people in real home environments. But honestly, it was too early. The technology was not mature enough, the hardware cost was too high, and the market was not really ready for that kind of product.
Later, as SEDOLL continued working in the silicone doll industry, my thinking slowly changed. I started to realize that maybe we did not need to begin with a complete robot body. Maybe the first step should be smaller, more focused, and closer to what users could actually feel.
Q2: What made you decide to start with the head?
Tomy:
We chose to start with the head because it brings together the three things that matter most in emotional interaction: expression, voice, and response.
Connection does not come from words alone. It also comes from the way someone looks at you, the timing of a smile, the movement of the mouth, and the tone of the reply. These small signals often make an interaction feel more natural.
For SE X-Bot, the head is where these signals can meet in one place. It allows us to focus on the moment when a companion is no longer just present, but begins to react — through what she says, how she looks at you, and how her expression changes.
That is the experience we wanted to build first.
Q3: Was SE X-Bot successful from the beginning?
Tomy:
No, definitely not. What people see now is the first released version, but before this, we went through several difficult stages.
For the first version, we had done a lot of preparation, but it still did not work well enough. The appearance felt strange, the audio pickup was not smooth, the expressions were not continuous, and the uncanny valley effect was very obvious. It was difficult to have a coherent daily conversation with her.
The second version was closer. She looked more like a doll, and we tested different silicone materials to better match the mechanical structure. She could hold a more stable appearance and react with some expressions. But the voice, facial response, and timing still did not feel like one complete experience, and some details were still rough.
The current version of SE X-Bot Annika came from those lessons. This time, the face, voice, expression, and overall visual style finally began to work together. We also upgraded the makeup details, making Annika feel more refined and more complete as an AI companion.
Q4: Why was Annika chosen as the first SE X-Bot character?
Tomy:
Annika was a very natural choice for us.
Among SEDOLL’s characters, Annika is already familiar to many users. She has a sweet and approachable look, and there is something gentle about her face that fits the idea of companionship very well.
For a first AI companion head, we did not want users to feel like they were meeting a completely unfamiliar face. We wanted the first response to come from someone they already knew.
Q5: How is SE X-Bot different from a normal voice assistant?
Tomy:
A normal voice assistant is mostly a tool. You ask something, it gives you an answer. It is useful, but the interaction usually stops at information.
SE X-Bot is different because we are not only trying to make her speak. We are trying to make her response visible. Her voice, eyes, mouth movement, facial expression, and timing are designed to work together, so the response feels more like it comes from a face, not just a speaker.
That is what we care about most: the feeling that she is not only answering, but actually reacting to you.
Q6: What do you see as the next step for SE X-Bot?
Tomy:
For us, SE X-Bot Annika is only the beginning.
The current version proves that a doll head can become more than a beautiful static face. With voice interaction, facial movement, and AI response working together, she can begin to create a stronger sense of presence.
Next, we want to make this experience more refined and more personal. That means improving expression details, making interactions feel smoother, and bringing SE X-Bot to more faces and visual styles in the future.
Different users connect with different looks. Our goal is to let more people find a character that feels right to them, while continuing to improve the technology behind the experience.
Annika is the starting point, not the final form.
Q7: How do you hope users will view this first generation of SE X-Bot?
Tomy:
I hope users see it as a beginning.
Like any first-generation product, SE X-Bot still has room to grow. The software can become smarter, the expressions can become richer, and the interaction can feel more natural over time.
This first version is especially suitable for users who are curious, open-minded, and willing to explore something new with us. It may not be perfect from day one, but if you are interested in where AI companionship is going, SE X-Bot is an exciting first step.
User feedback will be very important. Real use will show us what feels natural, what still needs improvement, and what users truly want from this kind of companion.
For us, this is not just a product launch. It is the beginning of a shared journey with the community.
Closing
From Tomy’s early robotics attempt to today’s SE X-Bot Annika, the path was never a straight line. It included failed prototypes, repeated adjustments, material tests, and many moments of asking: does this really feel like a response?
That may be the most important idea behind SE X-Bot. It is not only about making a doll head move or adding AI conversation to a familiar face. It is about finding the first believable step toward a companion that feels more present.
Annika is only the first answer SEDOLL can offer today. What comes next will depend on both technology and the users who help shape this new form of companionship.
The story of SE X-Bot has just begun.