Insider Brief
- Hong Kong-listed Mint Incorporation is forming a joint venture with Rice Robotics to develop AI companion robots for the consumer market, with the first products expected to launch in Asia in the third quarter of 2026.
- Mint subsidiary Aspiration X will invest HK$15 million and provide research, development and staffing support, while Rice Robotics contributes its robotics technology, intellectual property and commercial infrastructure built through autonomous delivery robot deployments across Asia.
- The new venture, Rice Robotics AGI, will focus on consumer-oriented AI companion robots combining autonomous navigation and interactive AI systems for home use, building on the companies’ earlier collaboration around the FLOKI Minibot M1 platform.
Hong Kong-listed Mint Incorporation is forming a joint venture with Rice Robotics to develop AI companion robots for the consumer market. The first batch of consumer-ready robots is expected to launch initially in Asian markets in the third quarter of 2026, according to Mint.
In the deal, Mint’s subsidiary Aspiration X will invest HK$15 million, or USD$1.9 million, and provide research, development and staffing support for the new entity, Rice Robotics AGI Holding Limited. Rice Robotics, which deployed autonomous delivery robots across Asia, will contribute its robotics technology, intellectual property, customer relationships and sales infrastructure.
Entering the Companion AI Robots Market
The new entity will focus on developing consumer-oriented AI companion robots that combine autonomous navigation with interactive AI systems designed for home use, according to Mint. The companies previously collaborated with the FLOKI Minibot M1 commercial robotics platform.
Mint’s chairman and CEO Damian Chan said the joint venture marks a major step forward in Mint’s strategy to expand deeper into the AI companion robotics market through Aspiration X.
“With the successful delivery of the FLOKI Minibot M1, we saw firsthand the enormous potential in AI companionship,” Chan said. “Now, through Rice Robotics AGI, we are committing dedicated investment and strategic focus to expand our reach into the consumer market at scale. We believe we can meaningfully lower adoption barriers and serve the growing demand for intelligent, joyful companionship in family settings.”
Earlier this year, the two companies signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to explore forming the joint venture focused on physical AI and consumer-facing robotics systems, with Mint proposing an initial investment of about HK$10 million at the time.
“Rice Robotics AGI was created to accelerate the development of, and build, consumer-ready AI robots that people genuinely want in their daily lives,” added Rice Robotics founder Victor Lee. “Combining autonomous navigation with interactive AI capabilities, we are excited to take a meaningful step toward making companion robots accessible to more families through Rice Robotics AGI.”
Integrating Fan-Favorite B.Duck IP for Companion Robot Debut
Also announced was the signing signing of a non-binding agreement with B.Duck owner B.Duck Semk to develop an AI companion robot called B.Duck NAVI for the consumer market. The companies said the robot will combine autonomous navigation, emotional AI, voice interaction and home assistance features, with a global debut planned for Licensing Expo Las Vegas as Mint and Rice Robotics expand deeper into consumer-focused companion robotics.
Featured image: Mr. Damian Chan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mint, and Mr. Victor Lee, Founder of Rice Robotics, at the signing of the JV Agreement. (Credit: Mint)
