When a Stranger Walks In: What a Viral Robot Video Tells Us About the Future of Home Care

A short clip has been making the rounds on Douyin. A stranger walks into a home, and the little Erbai companion robot notices. It doesn't sit there like a smart speaker waiting for a wake word. It reacts like a member of the household who has realised that someone it doesn't know is standing in the living room.

It's funny and a bit endearing, and it also makes you think. If a robot about the size of a teddy bear can tell family from strangers, what else could it do for Hong Kong homes?

Erbai Robot made by Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology

Meet Erbai, a robot that "recognises its owner"

Erbai (二白) is made by Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology, which was founded in 2019. The character was popular before the hardware existed: the team spent years building the "我系二白" (I Am Erbai) content accounts, which now have more than 7 million followers across platforms. Its first consumer device, Erbai Mini, sold over RMB 1 million on the first day of pre-sale in June 2025 and sold out within five days. In early 2026 the company announced an angel round worth tens of millions of RMB and showed its companion robots at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.

What makes Erbai different from a standard gadget is the way it builds a relationship with its owners:

• Adopt, train, bond. Owners first "adopt" Erbai as a digital character online and train it. When the robot arrives, it uses voice and face recognition to recognise its owner.

• A personality of its own. The company has developed its own personality generation, emotion engine and long-term memory technology, so Erbai remembers people and responds with emotion. It doesn't simply carry out commands.

• Knowing who belongs. Erbai knows who its family is, so it can also notice when someone isn't family. That is the moment the viral video captured.

Why this matters for Hong Kong families

Families who hire a domestic helper usually worry about the same things:

• Is everything OK at home while we're at work?

• Is Mum or Dad safe and keeping well during the day?

• Is the dog or cat lonely?

• Who keeps the kids company before homework time?

Companion robots like Erbai are an early sign of a home that can watch, recognise and respond. Today that means noticing an unfamiliar face and giving lonely moments some warmth. Tomorrow it could include:

• Home watching: recognising family members, flagging strangers and alerting you when something looks wrong.

• Elderly companionship: chatting, sending medicine reminders and checking in, so seniors feel less alone during long weekdays.

• Pet care: playing with pets, keeping an eye on them and keeping them company while everyone is out.

• Child companionship: storytelling, language practice and gentle supervision at home.

• Household tasks: as robotics develops, more routine chores can be shared with machines.

SEEDU's view: robots and helpers, side by side

At SEEDU we believe the best home care will come from people and technology working together. A robot doesn't replace a good domestic helper. The two have different strengths.

A trusted helper brings judgement, warmth and the human touch that families depend on, whether that's cooking a favourite dish, calming a crying baby or helping an elderly parent up the stairs. A companion robot brings constant attention. It doesn't get tired, it can keep watch and keep people company around the clock, and it can take over repetitive routines.

Put them together and helpers spend more of their time on the work that matters most, families feel more secure, and elderly relatives, children and pets get more company.

This is the idea behind our "Smart Solutions, Tomorrow" vision. SEEDU is exploring AI-assisted matching today and following developments in home robotics closely. Our goal is simple: as robot helpers become practical and affordable, Hong Kong families should have a trusted partner to help them choose and introduce the right technology alongside the right people. FAQ

What is the Erbai robot?

Erbai is an AI companion robot from Hangzhou Erbai Intelligent Technology. It uses voice and face recognition to recognise its owner, and it has its own personality, emotions and memory.

Can a robot replace a domestic helper in Hong Kong?

Not today. Companion robots can offer company, reminders and home watching, but cooking, cleaning, childcare and physical elderly care still need a trained domestic helper. SEEDU sees robots as a complement to helpers.

How is SEEDU preparing for robot helpers?

SEEDU is exploring AI-assisted matching and following developments in home robotics. The aim is to help Hong Kong families combine trusted helpers with smart home technology as it matures.