Roomba inventor Colin Angle made robots useful. Now he wants to make them lovable.

Familiar Machines designed its robot as an "abstract bear." Familiar Machines & Magic Roomba inventor Colin Angle's new startup is building a four-legged pet-inspired robot. Familiar Machines, which has raised $30 million in funding, plans to start selling robots next year. The company worked with Hollywood writers to shape the robot companion's personality. Colin Angle put the Roomba in millions of homes by giving it a simple job: cleaning the floor. Now, the longtime iRobot CEO wants his ...