New York ( CNN ) -- A smartphone or tablet feature high on your holiday list this year ? How about a robot instead ? Cynthia Breazeal , head of the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab , is launching a crowd funding campaign that will let you buy exactly that . What is being billed as the first family robot -- Jibo -- is on the way . At $ 499 for consumers and $ 599 for developers , the price is in line with a high-end smartphone . But Jibo is intended to be so much more . Breazeal , who has pioneered work in making robots more social and interactive , believes Jibo can be an organizer , an education tool , even assist elderly family members . `` Jibo is this helpful presence that helps support your family , your human network , to be more efficient and feel more connected , '' says Breazeal . We got a chance to meet Jibo and see a demo of what he can do . It is a big leap from the likes of Siri , which most of us are used to . As a mom , I loved the fact it can snap pictures -- finally I will be in some ! The reminder functions would be great for my busy family and I also think kids will engage . I spent time with Breazeal in her lab this week and I was amazed to see the way small children respond to robot interaction , as opposed to a learning app which they can tire of quickly . There is , however , much Jibo ca n't do yet , so keep your expectations in check . Jibo does not think independently . He is not going to be your personal butler , or dinner date . If you order Jibo now you are getting a prototype , which by definition means not everything will work the way you hope . This rollout is intended for those who want to help refine Jibo . The software running the robot is an open developer platform and Breazeal and her team fully expect that community to come up with novel ideas that will help Jibo mature . I , for one , hope someone can make Jibo mobile . Right now , he spins but ca n't follow you around the house . But if you 're are ready to embrace the robot revolution and invite one into your family , Jibo says he wants to meet you too .
Jibo , a personal robot , has been launched by robotics pioneer Cynthia Breazeal . The robot is designed to be an organizer , educator and assist family members . CNN 's Maggie Lake met him and says she was impressed with his skills . But the Jibo up for grabs is just a prototype -- so do n't expect too much .