Shenzhen-based startup LYNOOK Technology is shifting the AI companion market by moving beyond simple chat interfaces. Founded in 2026 in Nanshan, the company integrates hardware with spatial computing to create interactive 3D environments for AI characters. This approach aims to address the industry challenge where over 60% of AI companion products see user engagement drop off after only five days.
The company was founded by Luo Jingmin, a former Tencent AI Lab expert, and Zhang Jiayi, who brings experience from Swire Group and consumer electronics. Their strategy focuses on the ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) sector, prioritizing user experience through physical desktop devices. The hardware supports magnetic stacking, allowing AI characters from different devices to interact as neighbors.
By enabling social connections between AI characters, LYNOOK seeks to build shared memories and extended relationships, which the founders believe will increase product longevity. The team is currently recruiting fine arts students for illustration and character design roles to develop a consistent visual system, including action libraries and story-driven scenes for their AI worlds.
Unlike competitors focused on scaling daily active users, LYNOOK targets the emotional needs of core ACG enthusiasts. The company is developing a platform where AI companions possess distinct personalities and daily routines within a tangible space. This strategy replaces isolated text-based interactions with a persistent, ritual-filled environment on the user's physical desktop.