Clasp act

With artificial intelligence (AI) comes artificial romance.

Tech firm Realbotix introduced Melody at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, United States on 7 January. The sexy “girlfriend” was among the AI-powered robot partners that can be had for $175,000.

“It remembers who you are. It can act as a boyfriend or girlfriend,” Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel told Forbes.

The humanlike movement of the robo-pal, such as eye contact, is made possible through advanced motor technology. It also can converse and interact, according to Kiguel.

Melody, or its copy named Aria, is a travel companion because it can be easily disassembled and reassembled, he added, New York Post (NYP) reports.

Melody is not a sex doll, though, the company clarified. At most, it can engage in adult conversation.

Meanwhile, another creature seemed more amorous than robo-partners, an Italian model found out while vacationing in Seychelles.

Federico Cola was swimming in the island paradise when something wrapped around his legs and did not want to let go. The hunk shared a video on Instagram showing his clingy new friend and it went viral, drawing more than 1.3 million views as of 2 January, NYP reports.

The clip shows Cola trying to untangle himself from the octopus’ tentacles, but it latched onto his back.

Cola calmly kept the octopus company while dipping in the Indian Ocean, as it clung unto him.

His post reassured Instagrammers that he was just showing “people that we can love this special animal,” according to NYP.