Mint's High-Stakes AI Pivot: From Interiors to Intelligent Robots

HONG KONG – February 25, 2026 – Mint Incorporation Limited, a company traditionally known for interior design, today signaled a dramatic strategic shift with the unveiling of its first AI-powered companion robot prototype, the FLOKI Minibot M1. The announcement marks the NASDAQ-listed firm's official entry into the burgeoning Asia Pacific consumer robotics market, a high-stakes gamble to diversify its business and capture a piece of the rapidly expanding "Physical AI" sector.

A Bold Gamble Amid Financial Headwinds

This move comes at a critical juncture for Mint Inc. (NASDAQ: MIMI). The company, with its established business in interior design and fit-out works, has faced significant financial challenges. Recent analyses have pointed to a weak financial state, characterized by persistent cash burn and a notable 25.5% decline in revenue over the past year. Its stock has been highly volatile, experiencing a steep 94% drop over the last twelve months, and the company recently received a non-compliance notification from Nasdaq for its shares trading below the $1.00 minimum bid price.

Despite these pressures, the company maintains strong liquidity and a manageable debt-to-equity ratio, suggesting it has the short-term stability to weather a strategic transformation. This pivot into the capital-intensive world of AI and robotics appears to be a calculated risk designed to fundamentally reshape its future.

Investors have reacted with notable enthusiasm to the news. Following the announcement of its planned joint venture with robotics specialist Rice Robotics Holdings Limited, Mint's shares surged nearly 97% in after-hours trading, indicating strong market interest in the company's bold new direction. The planned investment for this joint venture has also been increased from HK$10 million to HK$15 million, signaling reinforced commitment from the company and its investors.

Meet FLOKI, The Personality-Driven AI Companion

At the heart of this strategic shift is the FLOKI Minibot M1. Developed in collaboration with Rice Robotics, the M1 is engineered not just as a functional device, but as an intelligent daily companion. Its features include smart reminders, proactive notifications, concierge services, and educational tutoring capabilities.

What Mint hopes will set the FLOKI Minibot M1 apart in a competitive market is its "personality-driven AI." The robot is designed to develop a personalized interaction style with each user, moving beyond rote commands to foster a more intuitive and engaging relationship. This capacity for personalization is central to Mint's strategy to meet what it sees as a rapidly accelerating consumer demand for more sophisticated AI companions.

"We are immensely proud of the progress achieved with the FLOKI Minibot M1," said Mr. Damian Chan, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mint, in a statement. "Consumer demand for AI-powered companions is accelerating rapidly, and we believe the FLOKI Minibot M1 is uniquely positioned to meet this need by integrating advanced AI-driven features with a deeply engaging and personalized user experience."

The prototype was recently showcased at the prestigious British Education Training and Technology Show in the U.K., giving the international community a first glimpse of its potential. Mint has ambitious plans for the product line, with a future roadmap that includes enhancements tailored for the education, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, aiming to broaden its commercial footprint.

A Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Growth

Mint is not venturing into this new territory alone. The development of the FLOKI Minibot M1 is a collaborative effort between Axonex Intelligence Limited, Mint's wholly-owned R&D subsidiary, and Rice Robotics Holdings Limited. This partnership is crucial, pairing Mint's emerging focus on AI with the proven expertise of a renowned leader in the autonomous robotics space.

Rice Robotics has a strong track record, particularly in developing and deploying autonomous delivery robots for high-profile clients in complex operational environments across Asia, including Japan. This "market-tested vision for integrated AI solutions" provides a foundation of technical credibility and practical experience that is critical for a new entrant like Mint.

The collaboration has already yielded concrete production targets. The two companies have formalized an agreement to deliver up to 800 units of the FLOKI Minibot M1 by the end of the first quarter of 2026, an ambitious timeline that underscores the urgency and confidence behind the project.

Charting a Course in the "Physical AI" Market

The launch of the Minibot M1 is the first major step in Mint's broader strategy to establish itself in the "Physical AI" market—a term for intelligent systems that integrate hardware and software to operate autonomously in the real world. This sector represents a significant departure from the company's roots but offers a pathway to substantial long-term growth.

"This milestone is a testament to Mint's dedication to innovation and value creation," Mr. Chan added. "Our successful collaboration with Rice Robotics empowers us to deliver solutions that fundamentally enhance how people interact with technology in their daily lives. As we scale production and expand our market presence, we are confident that the FLOKI Minibot M1 will become a cornerstone of our robotics portfolio."

By leveraging its partnership and focusing on the high-growth Asia Pacific market, Mint aims to transform from a traditional services provider into an innovation-driven technology company. While the financial risks are undeniable, the successful delivery of the first FLOKI prototype and the clear market enthusiasm suggest that Mint's ambitious pivot could position it as a surprising new contender in the global robotics race.