Source of this article and featured image is TechCrunch. Description and key fact are generated by Codevision AI system.
Jenny Shao, a former Harvard resident and physician, launched Robyn, an empathetic AI companion to address emotional disconnection. The app avoids replacing therapy, instead offering personalized support through memory research from her time with Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel. Robyn’s onboarding process tailors interactions to user goals and preferences, while safety measures include crisis line access and content restrictions. Available on iOS, the app costs $19.99 monthly, with funding from M13 and notable investors. Shao emphasizes Robyn’s role in helping users reflect on patterns and reconnect with themselves, rather than substituting human relationships.
Key facts
- Jenny Shao, a former physician and Harvard resident, developed Robyn to bridge emotional gaps caused by modern disconnection.
- Robyn avoids acting as a therapy substitute, instead focusing on supporting users as an emotionally intelligent partner.
- The AI leverages memory research from Shao’s work with Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel to enhance user understanding.
- Robyn’s safety features include crisis line referrals, content filters, and restrictions on non-personal tasks.
- The startup raised $5.5 million in seed funding, with investors like Lars Rasmussen and Bill Tai.
