Codiby Pillar Learning

Codi is a friendly screen-free robot for young children that tells stories, plays songs, and supports early social and emotional learning, with content parents manage through a companion app. It was created by Pillar Learning, founded by William Mock, Dayu Yang, and Chris Oslebo. Their goal was to give kids engaging, educational interaction without handing them a tablet, letting parents curate what their child hears and learns.

The team came into Season 12 seeking 500,000 dollars for a slice of the company and pitched Codi as a healthier alternative to screen time. Robert Herjavec, who has a soft spot for kid-focused and tech products, engaged with the founders. The negotiation landed on a larger equity stake than the team initially offered, with Robert taking a meaningful share in exchange for his investment and guidance.

Codi stood out because it addressed a worry shared by many parents: how to keep small children entertained and learning without more screen exposure. The robot's warm design and parent-controlled app made it feel safe and intentional rather than just another gadget. That positioning, plus a guest-friendly shark in Robert, made the pitch resonate with families watching.

After the episode, Pillar Learning leaned on Codi's screen-free angle to reach parents and kept developing the app's library of stories, songs, and learning content. The company continued to sell the robot online and worked on expanding what the device and app could offer over time.

As of 2026 Pillar Learning is still in business, though availability of the Codi robot itself has been inconsistent, with the product showing as out of stock at various points across its own site and other retailers. Buyers should check current stock before assuming the robot is readily available, and treat any specific revenue claims with caution.