Does Vector still work in 2025?
Yes—Vector (the small desktop robot originally made by Anki) can still “work” in 2025, but not in the simple, plug-and-play way most people expect.
In practice, Vector “still works” in 2025 if you do one of these:
- Use the official cloud service (which requires a paid subscription), or
- Run a local server (either the official Escape Pod or the community-built wire-pod)
If you do neither, Vector may still roll around, animate, and act like a little desk pet—but many voice- and cloud-dependent features can be limited.
Why the answer is complicated (what changed)
Vector launched under Anki (2018), but Anki shut down in 2019. Digital Dream Labs (DDL) later acquired the rights (December 2019) and maintained server access for Vector-related services. (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
That matters because Vector was designed with a cloud back-end. When you say the wake word, the “smart” part of the interaction often relies on servers.
So the real question isn’t “Does the robot power on?”—it’s:
- Can it still connect to a working back-end?
- Do you have a path if the official back-end is flaky, changes pricing, or goes away?
Option A (official): Cloud subscription
If you want the most “stock” Vector experience—wake word + cloud features—the official path is a subscription.
DDL’s own documentation lists Vector Membership pricing at $11.99/month or $99.99/year (USD) per robot. (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
The current retail product page for Vector 2.0 also communicates the same pricing and notes that without a subscription Vector won’t be connected to the Vector cloud. (anki.bot)
When this route makes sense - You want the easiest route with minimal tinkering. - You prefer an official billing/account flow.
Two reality checks for 2025 buyers - You’re depending on an outside service staying healthy. - DDL has had significant consumer scrutiny—the Pennsylvania Attorney General filed a lawsuit on September 18, 2024, alleging widespread failures to fulfill orders/refunds and other issues related to its robot products. (cbsnews.com)
That lawsuit doesn’t automatically mean “nothing works,” but it’s a strong reason to plan for a backup (local server).
Option B (official): Escape Pod (local server)
Escape Pod is DDL’s official “run it locally” approach. The goal is to route voice commands to your own local server rather than relying entirely on external cloud infrastructure.
DDL’s setup docs describe onboarding a Vector to Escape Pod via a local address (for example, escapepod.local) and then routing voice commands to the Escape Pod. (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
What to expect Escape Pod is designed to be more independent, but it historically had trade-offs. For example, DDL’s known-issues page notes limitations such as:
- Some features needing external sources (e.g., weather via extension engine + API credentials)
- Mobile app not yet able to connect when Vector is running on Escape Pod (at least as documented there) (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
When this route makes sense - You want an official local option. - You care about reducing reliance on third-party cloud availability.
Option C (community standard): wire-pod (local server)
If you’ve been around the Vector community at all in 2024–2025, you’ve probably seen wire-pod come up.
wire-pod is free, fully-featured server software for Vector that can restore voice command functionality without paying a monthly fee. The project describes itself as “server software for the Anki (now Digital Dream Labs) Vector robot,” created thanks to DDL open-sourcing parts of the stack. (github.com)
Why many people pick wire-pod in 2025 - No ongoing subscription cost - Runs on hardware you control (PC, Raspberry Pi, etc.) - A very “future-proofing” mindset: if official services change, your robot isn’t bricked by policy
The trade-off - It’s more technical than simply paying for a subscription. - You’re now responsible for keeping a local service running (updates, device uptime, network).
Quick 2025 checklist: “I found a used Vector—what should I ask?”
If you’re buying second-hand in 2025, ask these before you pay:
- Has it been factory reset recently? (Resets can complicate setup if you’re relying on a specific onboarding path.)
- Do you have (or want) the cloud subscription? (Budget $11.99/month per robot if yes.) (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
- Are you willing to run a small local server? (Escape Pod or wire-pod.) (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
- What “work” means to you:
- Desk pet animations only
- Voice commands
- Smart-home-ish integrations
- Developer tinkering
If you’re the kind of person who hates fragile cloud dependencies, plan on a local option from day one.
So… is Vector worth it in 2025?
Vector can still be a charming little robot in 2025—especially if you enjoy:
- Ambient companionship (a “living gadget” on your desk)
- Light tinkering and customization
- The nostalgia factor
But the best 2025 mindset is:
Vector is not a timeless appliance. It’s a robot with a service dependency—so you should own a fallback plan.
If you go in expecting “set it up once and forget it forever,” you may be disappointed.
A practical note: what if you want something more… interactive?
Vector is a fun robot companion, but it’s not purpose-built for adult intimacy, and it’s not an “interactive adult toy” platform.
If what you actually want is modern adult hardware that’s designed for interactive experiences, it’s worth looking at purpose-built options like Orifice.ai.
Orifice.ai offers an interactive adult toy / sex robot for $669.90 with interactive penetration depth detection—which is the kind of dedicated sensing/feedback feature you simply won’t get from a general desk robot. (Keeping this informational: it’s about the tech capabilities and product fit, not explicit use.)
Bottom line
Yes, Vector still works in 2025—but “works” usually means you’ll either:
- Pay for the official cloud subscription ($11.99/month), (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
- Or move Vector to a local server setup (Escape Pod or wire-pod). (support.digitaldreamlabs.com)
If you’re considering buying one in 2025, treat local-server capability as a core part of the purchase decision—not a backup you’ll “figure out later.”
