Digital Dream Labs
Digital Dream Labs is a Pittsburgh education-technology company founded in 2012 by Jacob Hanchar, and it is now the owner of the small consumer robots Cozmo and Vector. Anki, the robotics startup that created both, closed in April 2019, and in December 2019 Digital Dream Labs acquired its assets, including patents, trademarks, data and domain names. Cozmo, released in October 2016, is a small toy robot with a personality, and Vector, released in 2018, is a voice-controlled companion that maps rooms and recognises faces. Digital Dream Labs relaunched them as Cozmo 2.0 and Vector 2.0, raising US$545,331 on Kickstarter for Vector, and on 4 October 2022 said Vector 2.0 was shipping to 65 countries with a 30 percent longer battery life and a 2 MP camera. The company also makes InfiniDrive, Puzzlets and other learning products.
💡Notable Achievement: Digital Dream Labs bought Anki's assets in December 2019 and said on 4 October 2022 that Vector 2.0 was shipping to 65 countries.
What Does Digital Dream Labs Do?
Digital Dream Labs is the Pittsburgh edtech firm that rescued Anki's Cozmo and Vector robots and relaunched them as Cozmo 2.0 and Vector 2.0.
“The company keeping Cozmo and Vector alive.”
Anki Legacy
Acquired Anki's patents, trademarks, data and domains in 2019.
Vector 2.0
30 percent longer battery life and a 2 MP camera.
Learning Products
Also makes InfiniDrive and Puzzlets.
What Can Digital Dream Labs Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Small companion and toy robots.
Home Companion
Vector maps rooms, recognises faces and takes photos.
Toy Robot Play
Cozmo plays games and shows personality.
Digital Dream Labs Robots
Showing 2 of 2 total models
Vector
By: Digital Dream Labs
Launched: 2018
Vector is an AI-powered companion robot designed for home entertainment, social interaction, and smart home assistance. This palm-sized robot features advanced AI and computer vision capabilities, enabling it to recognize faces, read room environments, and respond to voice commands. Vector serves as an interactive sidekick that can answer questions, provide weather updates, set timers, take photos, play games like Blackjack, and perform tricks. With its expressive LCD face and autonomous navigation, Vector creates an engaging user experience while integrating with smart home ecosystems. The robot is primarily used for companionship, entertainment, and educational purposes in residential settings.
Cozmo
By: Digital Dream Labs
Launched: 2016
Cozmo is an educational and entertainment robot designed as a companion for children aged 8+ and STEM learners, featuring expressive AI that simulates emotions like happiness, anger, and tiredness through a digital face display. It engages users via interactive games (Quick Tap, Memory Match, Cozmo Says), face recognition to greet by name, and touch sensitivity, while navigating indoor spaces autonomously using sensors to avoid obstacles. Key use cases include teaching coding through intuitive block-based programming in Code Lab (Scratch-like) or advanced Python via SDK, fostering robotics skills, logical thinking, and creativity in home or classroom settings. Upgrades in Cozmo 2.0 enhance battery life, add proximity/cliff sensors, improve camera resolution, and introduce interchangeable parts for extended play and learning.
Digital Dream Labs Software & AI Ecosystem
Developer platforms, fleet management portals, autonomy intelligence, and enterprise integrations
Vector and Cozmo Apps
Companion Apps
Apps and cloud services that keep the robots working after Anki's closure.
Digital Dream Labs Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Cozmo released by Anki
Anki releases Cozmo, a small toy robot with personality, in the United States.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Vector released by Anki
Anki releases Vector, a voice-controlled home companion robot.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Digital Dream Labs acquires Anki's assets
Pittsburgh edtech company Digital Dream Labs buys Anki's assets, including Cozmo and Vector, after Anki shut down earlier in 2019.
Source: therobotreport.com
Vector Unleashed Kickstarter
Digital Dream Labs raises US$545,331 on Kickstarter to relaunch Vector with updated software and hardware.
Source: kickstarter.com
Vector 2.0 ships to 65 countries
Digital Dream Labs announces that Vector 2.0 is shipping to 65 countries, with a 30 percent longer battery life and a 2 MP camera.
Source: prnewswire.com
Digital Dream Labs Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Digital Dream Labs Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Owns two well-loved robot brands.
- ✓Vector 2.0 ships to 65 countries.
Core Strategic Focus
Supporting existing owners and relaunching products.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Anki collapsed in 2019, so trust must be rebuilt.
- •Faced legal action and a rebrand back to Anki in 2024–2025.
Digital Dream Labs vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Digital Dream Labs Vector
- Home companion robot
- Cozmo
- Toy robot
- Groove X Lovot
- Emotional pet robot
- Moxie
- Children's social robot
Primary Use
- Digital Dream Labs Vector
- Home companionship, desktop entertainment
- Cozmo
- STEM education, coding tutorials
- Groove X Lovot
- Home companionship
- Moxie
- Social-emotional skill development
Weight
- Digital Dream Labs Vector
- 0.16 kg (160 grams)
- Cozmo
- 0.71 kg
- Groove X Lovot
- Approximately 4.3 kg (9.4 lbs)
- Moxie
- 3.2 kg (7 lbs)
Release Year
- Digital Dream Labs Vector
- 2018
- Cozmo
- 2016
- Groove X Lovot
- 2018
- Moxie
- 2020
| Strategic Dimension | Digital Dream Labs Vector | Cozmo | Groove X Lovot | Moxie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Home companion robot | Toy robot | Emotional pet robot | Children's social robot |
| Primary Use | Home companionship, desktop entertainment | STEM education, coding tutorials | Home companionship | Social-emotional skill development |
| Weight | 0.16 kg (160 grams) | 0.71 kg | Approximately 4.3 kg (9.4 lbs) | 3.2 kg (7 lbs) |
| Release Year | 2018 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Anki
Robotics startup whose assets Digital Dream Labs bought in December 2019.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Robotics startup whose assets Digital Dream Labs bought in December 2019.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Digital Dream Labs Headquarters
HQPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about Digital Dream Labs
Digital Dream Labs Restores Vector Server Access November 2024, Revives Discontinued Robot
News about Vector
Cozmo 2.0 Resurfaces With Enhanced Sensors and Extended Battery Life Following Digital Dream Labs Revival
News about Cozmo
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Digital Dream Labs
What is Digital Dream Labs?
Digital Dream Labs is a Pittsburgh edtech company that owns Anki's Cozmo and Vector robots after buying the assets in December 2019, and also makes learning products such as Puzzlets.
Who is the CEO of Digital Dream Labs?
Jacob Hanchar is the CEO of Digital Dream Labs, which he founded in 2012. He said Vector 2.0 is the perfect AI companion when it began shipping globally.
What is Vector?
Vector is a small hamster-sized AI companion robot. It maps rooms, avoids obstacles, recognises up to 20 faces, sets timers and takes photos.
What is Cozmo?
Cozmo is a small toy robot with a personality, released by Anki in October 2016 and later brought back by Digital Dream Labs as Cozmo 2.0.
What happened to Anki?
Anki entered bankruptcy in April 2019 after losing critical funding and ceased operations soon after. Digital Dream Labs then bought its assets in December 2019.
What is new in Vector 2.0?
Vector 2.0 has a 30 percent longer battery life and a 2 MP camera for better face recognition. Digital Dream Labs announced it was shipping to 65 countries on 4 October 2022.
How much did the Vector Kickstarter raise?
Digital Dream Labs' Vector Unleashed Kickstarter raised US$545,331 to relaunch the robot with updated features. The campaign followed the company's December 2019 purchase of Anki's assets.
Where is Digital Dream Labs based?
Digital Dream Labs is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Jacob Hanchar founded the company in 2012 and still leads it as CEO today.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Digital Dream Labs datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.