a surprising tech trend is gaining serious attention: AI-enhanced collectibles that blend physical figurines with artificial intelligence to create interactive experiences for fans and hobbyists. Two startups—HeyMates by Olli and Buddyo—are leading the charge, offering platforms that turn collectible figures into chatty companions with personalities powered by large language models and smart hardware bases. HeyMates plans to launch AI-equipped figurines that can discuss topics like science or humor, while Buddyo’s AI Pod system works with existing collectibles like Funko Pops and Nintendo Amiibo to generate backstories and voices through an app and AI processing. These innovations arrive amid concerns over traditional toy brands struggling financially and broader debates about the safety and impact of AI companions, especially for children, with some lawmakers proposing moratoriums on under-18 chatbot toys. AI collectibles may carve out a new niche in the tech and toymaking market, appealing to adult collectors and nostalgic fans alike while raising questions about where technology and play intersect.
Sources:
https://www.theverge.com/tech/859994/ai-collectibles-funko-pops-amiibo-buddyo-heymates-ces-2026
https://abc7chicago.com/post/are-ai-toys-safe-companion-products-debut-ces-2026-las-vegas-amid-speculation-child-impact/18370854/
https://buddyo.co/
Key Takeaways
• AI collectibles are emerging as a trend at CES 2026, with startups integrating artificial intelligence into physical figurines to create interactive, chat-capable toys.
• HeyMates and Buddyo are pioneering different approaches: HeyMates with its own AI-enabled figures and Buddyo with an AI Pod that works with existing collections like Funko Pops and Amiibo.
• The rise of AI companions in toys raises safety and developmental questions, sparking discussions among advocates and legislators about appropriate use, especially for children.
In-Depth
This year’s CES highlighted not just the usual parade of gadgets and home tech but also a fascinating shift at the intersection of nostalgia and innovation. Veteran collectors and casual consumers alike were introduced to the idea that your favorite Funko Pop or Amiibo might soon do more than sit silently on a shelf—it could talk back. Two companies, HeyMates and Buddyo, showcased technology that breathes digital “life” into physical figures, using AI to make these collectibles responsive and conversational. The Verge’s coverage of the event detailed how HeyMates intends to sell new figurines equipped with RFID and chatbot intelligence, enabling dialogue with characters like Einstein or a tarot-reading persona that blends whimsy and tech. Buddyo, on the other hand, is betting on compatibility and convenience. Rather than making its own toys, Buddyo’s AI Pod accepts existing figures and uses an app to create backstories, voices, and memories tied to each item. This clever use of NFC and community-sourced character data might appeal to devoted collectors who already have shelves of figures they’re attached to.
Yet, this trend also brings broader concerns into focus. Independent reporting from ABC7 in Chicago underscored that as AI companions proliferate, questions about child safety and developmental effects are gaining traction. Consumer groups have cautioned that AI “friends” may not behave like real social partners, and some state legislators are even pursuing temporary moratoriums on marketing AI chatbots to minors. That underscores the cultural pushback against unregulated AI in everyday life, especially where children are involved.
From a conservative lens, this emerging category at CES underscores market opportunism meeting cultural momentum. With legacy brands like Funko facing financial uncertainty, new entrants see an opening—and they’re using cutting-edge AI to try to capture dollars and attention. Whether these AI collectibles become mainstream or remain a niche for tech enthusiasts remains an open question, but they undeniably represent a new frontier in how consumers might interact with beloved characters and hobbies in an era defined increasingly by artificial intelligence.