ABOUT VBNCITY
We turn cutting-edge AI into a huggable, trustworthy friend for your child.
Who We Are
VBNCITY is an AI technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, focused on building safe, intelligent companions for children.
Our team brings together product engineers, AI researchers, toy designers, illustrators, writers – and parents. The core R&D team has PhD- and master-level backgrounds in artificial intelligence, combined with years of experience in the toy and children’s product industry.
Our mission - Using advanced technology to create warm, trustworthy friends kids can actually hug, talk to, and grow up with.
What We Do
At VBNCITY, we focus on one thing:
Making Advanced AI Feel Simple, Safe, and Genuinely Comforting for Kids and Their Families.
We use very low-latency conversational AI to make chatting with Lumi feel closer to a real conversation, not a laggy robot.
We design stories, music, and playful mini games so Lumi becomes more than “a toy that talks” – it’s a gentle friend kids can turn to every day.
We hope to help busy parents create more screen-free, high-quality moments with their children.
Vancouver, Canada – Design & Experience
Our studio in Vancouver is where Lumi’s concept, conversational experience, stories, and brand design are created. Here, about our core AI, UX, and content teams work side by side, and we test prototypes with local families, refining every line of dialogue and every interaction to fit real-life parenting moments. It also serves as our R&D hub, where new AI behaviours and features are designed, tested, and refined before they reach families worldwide.
Large-scale Manufacturing & Strict QC
Our products are fabricated on large-scale, standardized lines designed for toys and consumer electronics. From fabric selection and stitching to battery, PCB assembly, and final packaging, every step follows clear processes and inspection checklists. Each batch goes through multiple functional and visual tests, key components are sampled for durability and reliability, and products are tested for safety and compliance with applicable children’s product and toy standards before shipping.
Large-scale manufacturing partners & strict QC
We work with manufacturing partners that operate large-scale, standardized production lines dedicated to toys and consumer electronics. From fabric selection and stitching to battery, PCB assembly, and final packaging, Lumi follows clearly defined processes and inspection standards. Each production batch goes through multiple rounds of functional tests and visual checks, with key components sampled for durability and reliability before products are packed for shipment. Before entering different markets, we prepare safety and compliance testing in line with the applicable children’s product regulations and toy safety standards.
Our commitment to safety & privacy
We understand that AI + children’s products is a sensitive combination – and it should be handled with care.
From day one, Lumi has been designed with safety and privacy in mind:
Toy Safety First
No “Secret Listening”
Lumi only listens and responds when it’s turned on and in active mode. After a period of inactivity, it goes into sleep mode to reduce unnecessary listening and power consumption.
Minimal Data Collection
Our systems are designed to collect only what’s necessary to provide the service. We follow local privacy requirements for data handling and storage, and explain our practices clearly in our Privacy Policy.
Why We Built Lumi
Kids are meeting AI earlier than ever, often through screens and devices designed for adults. We wanted their first experience of AI to feel gentle, age-appropriate, and rooted in real childhood—not in apps, notifications, and scrolling.
Lumi was created as a different kind of introduction to AI: a screen-free friend that lives inside a plush toy, responds with calm, natural conversation, and fits into bedtime, playtime, and quiet moments. It’s built around children’s pace, curiosity, and emotions, so families can enjoy what AI can do without adding another glowing screen to their home.
A Note to Parents
Dear Customers,
As engineers, designers, and parents, we see two realities:
- 1. Kids are meeting AI and smart devices earlier than ever.
- 2. Parents want technology that helps their children grow, not just more screen time.
Lumi is our answer: a way to enjoy the benefits of AI while keeping kids grounded in real hugs, imagination, and emotional connection. We believe great children’s tech should be both smart and gentle.
If you choose Lumi, you’re not just picking another toy—you’re choosing how your child first meets AI: in a form that is soft, safe, and built around their feelings, not their screen time.
Thank you for even considering about Lumi among all the toys and gifts out there. If you ever have questions, feedback, or stories about your child and Lumi, we’d truly love to hear from you！