Daybreak Indian robotic-toys maker Miko is running where Silicon Valley ones stumbled
Dec 19, 2025
The podcast explores the rise of Miko, a Mumbai-based robotic toy maker targeting American kids. It dives into Miko's unique approach to addressing screen addiction and contrasts its strategy with failed US rivals. The discussion highlights Miko's cost advantages from Indian manufacturing and its innovative hybrid product strategy. Despite reaching significant sales, the company faces mounting losses and the risks of scaling. With the holiday season approaching, will Miko's strengths be enough to navigate the challenges that have doomed others?
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Child Dependency On Robot Companion
- A California child, Alicia, asks her Miko robot dozens of questions daily and becomes dependent on it for learning and routine.
- Her mother intervened to restore balance, illustrating parental concerns about digital dependency.
India Advantage Versus US Failures
- Miko, a 10-year-old Mumbai startup, sells AI robots to global markets and is valued over $500M.
- Rival US firms failed despite high revenue due to cloud costs, thin margins, and lack of recurring revenue.
Origins And Long Pilot Phase
- Founders in Mumbai built Miko after seeing a mother struggle with a TV-addicted 5-year-old and aimed to give parents control.
- They ran 20+ pilots with nearly 50,000 kids before launching in 2016 to refine the product.