SEPA Babies FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions families and clinicians ask us most about PingoPongo and SEPA Babies. PingoPongo is a wellness companion (not a medical device), and we are currently pre-launch, so a few answers below point you to the waitlist for details we are still finalizing.
What is PingoPongo?
PingoPongo is a smart plush companion that supports everyday emotion regulation for neurodiverse children. It is a soft, friendly character a child can talk to, listen to, and cuddle, powered by open-source AI that runs entirely inside the plush. PingoPongo is SEPA Babies' first product.
Is PingoPongo a medical device or a treatment?
No, PingoPongo is a wellness companion, not a medical device, and it does not diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. It is designed to help children feel calm, understood, and supported in everyday moments. PingoPongo is meant to sit alongside the care a child already receives, never to replace it.
Who is PingoPongo for, and what ages is it designed for?
PingoPongo is designed for neurodiverse children ages 2 and up, though any child who would love a comforting companion can enjoy it. It supports kids who experience big feelings and benefit from gentle, everyday emotional support. SEPA Babies also has age-specific companions in development for older children and teens.
What does "neurodiverse" mean, and who does PingoPongo support?
Neurodiverse describes children whose brains work in different ways, including those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and anxiety. PingoPongo is built with these children in mind, offering patient, judgment-free companionship. Every child is unique, so PingoPongo is designed to meet a child where they are.
How does PingoPongo keep my child's conversations private?
PingoPongo processes conversations entirely on the device, so nothing your child says is sent to the cloud or stored on outside servers. The open-source AI that understands your child lives inside the plush itself. This privacy-first design is one of the biggest differences between PingoPongo and cloud-connected toys.
Is PingoPongo safe for my child?
Safety is central to how we are building PingoPongo, starting with its privacy-first design: because conversations are understood on the device, there is no cloud service collecting what your child says. PingoPongo is a soft plush companion built with input from clinicians and families. We will share full safety and materials details as we approach launch.
Does PingoPongo need Wi-Fi, an app, or an internet connection?
PingoPongo does its listening and responding right on the device, so your child's conversations are not streamed to the internet to be understood. There is an optional companion app, the SEPA parent app, that shares brief daily summaries with you. We are still finalizing setup details and will confirm exactly what is needed at launch.
How is PingoPongo different from other calming or AI toys?
PingoPongo pairs a plush companion a child truly bonds with and open-source AI that runs privately on the device, which sets it apart from both simple comfort toys and cloud-connected AI toys. Many AI toys send what your child says to company servers. PingoPongo keeps those conversations on the plush.
What does "open-source AI" mean, and why does it matter?
Open-source AI means the software powering PingoPongo is built on openly available technology rather than a hidden, big-tech system, so it can be inspected and understood rather than taken on faith. Combined with running entirely on the device, this supports our privacy-first promise and gives families more transparency about how PingoPongo works.
Is PingoPongo screen-free?
Yes, PingoPongo is completely screen-free. Your child interacts with it by talking, listening, and cuddling, never by looking at a screen. For many families, screen-free time matters, and PingoPongo offers gentle companionship and emotional support without adding to a child's daily screen time.
Does PingoPongo replace therapy or professional support?
No, PingoPongo does not replace therapy, medical care, or professional support of any kind. It is a comfort companion designed to complement the people and services that already support your child, helping close the gap between appointments. Always follow the guidance of your child's clinicians and care team.
Can I see what my child says to PingoPongo?
Parents receive brief daily summaries through the SEPA parent app, the gist of the day rather than word-for-word transcripts of what their child said. This is a deliberate choice that respects your child's private world while still helping you notice patterns. You can also choose to share these insights with your child's care team.
How much does PingoPongo cost, and when can I get one?
PingoPongo is not for sale yet, because SEPA Babies is currently pre-launch. The software works today, the hardware build is next, and a family beta will follow. We have not set a price or a ship date, so the best way to get early access and updates is to join the waitlist.
Who is behind SEPA Babies?
SEPA Babies was founded by Taffy Watts, a mother and educator of twenty-two years whose journey with her own daughter inspired the company. She is joined by a team including a CTO and AI specialist plus advisors in med-tech and family coaching. PingoPongo is built with input from clinicians, educators, and families.
Still have a question?
Join the waitlist to get updates as we get closer to launch, and to tell us what else you would like to know.
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