Hapiko, a Brooklyn-based startup, has introduced Stickerbox, a new voice-activated sticker printer designed for children. The device utilizes artificial intelligence to transform spoken creative ideas into physical, printable stickers, integrating generative AI technology into a tangible play experience.
The Stickerbox unit is a compact, red-and-white device priced at $99.99. It includes the printer, three rolls of thermal paper (equivalent to 180 stickers), a power cord, and colored pencils. The thermal printing mechanism operates without ink, and the paper used is certified BPS and BPA-free, according to the company. The device connects via Wi-Fi, and initial setup requires parental assistance to connect to a home network.
Operation involves a push-to-talk button, where users describe an image aloud. The AI model then processes the voice command, displays text on a black-and-white screen, and prints the corresponding image as a sticker. These stickers can subsequently be colored using the provided pencils or other coloring tools.
Hapiko was co-founded by CEO Arun Gupta and CTO Robert Whitney. Both previously worked together at the e-commerce marketplace Grailed, where Gupta served as CEO. Whitney's experience includes roles at The New York Times' Games division and Anthropic. The inspiration for Stickerbox reportedly stemmed from Whitney's experience as a father, observing his son's engagement with AI-generated coloring pages.
The company states that Stickerbox employs a combination of AI models, including proprietary technology, to ensure content is kid-safe. This includes filtering for harmful content such as violence, sexual imagery, or profanity, aiming to provide a secure environment for young users. As a Wi-Fi-connected device, Stickerbox receives regular firmware updates. A companion application is also in development, projected to offer features such as viewing past creations and saving favorites, and may host future premium functionalities.
Hapiko has secured $7 million in funding from investors including Maveron, Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures, the Allen Institute’s AI2 incubator, and various angel investors.
