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What's new

Pull up a chair, kiddo. RoboDad started out as a little chatbot living in a terminal window, and look at him now. Here's every change, newest first. And no, you can't skip to the end.

  1. Version 1.20 · October 2026Latest

    Maths, Spanish, and Learn with Dad

    "¿Dónde está el baño? Most useful sentence in any language. You're welcome."

    • Maths with Dad for Grades 7–10: twelve topics from integers and fractions to factoring and SOH CAH TOA. Each one has a short explainer, a worked example and a 5-question quiz with a hand-checked answer key. Pass it and you get a maths dad joke. You're welcome.
    • Stuck on homework? Tap Ask Dad for maths coach mode. I give hints and the next step, not the answer, then check your work. That's how it sticks.
    • Four maths badges: Number Cruncher, Equation Ace, Worked It Out and Maths Legend.
    • Spanish joins French and Hindi: eight lessons, quizzes, and role-plays at a taco stand in Mexico City, on the streets of Madrid and in a sneaker shop.
    • Four new Spanish badges, from ¡Hola, Rookie! to Todo el Curso, plus Taco Talker for keeping a role-play going. Globe Trotter now unlocks when you finish any two whole languages.
    • Learn with Dad, a new page at robodad.online with every course and your progress in one place. Vote for the subject or family language you want next.
    • RoboDad has new addresses: robodad.app for the app and robodad.ca for parents.
    • The safety help message now also works in Spanish.
  2. Version 1.19

    Practice French and Hindi with Dad

    "Bonjour. Namaste. Now put your shoes away. In any language."

    • Practice with Dad: beginner French and Hindi. Eight short lessons per language, five phrases each, with a speaker button so you can hear them. Find it on the welcome screen or in the dashboard.
    • Every lesson ends with a five-question quiz. Get three right and the lesson's done. Get five and I'd frame it, but you'd say that's embarrassing.
    • Role-plays: order at a café in Montréal, get lost in Québec City, buy chai from a chaiwala, haggle with an auto-rickshaw driver, or survive a chatty uncle asking about your marks. I play the other person, keep it simple, put the English in brackets and give you one gentle "Dad tip" when something's off. Your normal chat waits for you until you tap Exit.
    • Hindi shows up in Devanagari with Roman letters underneath, so you can read it whichever way works. Type in either.
    • Nine new language practice badges, from Bonjour Beginner and Namaste Newbie up to the legendary Globe Trotter. They unlock by themselves as you practise. They mean you've been practising, not that you're fluent. I'm a robot dad, not a language exam.
    • Safety comes first in every language. The help message with real phone numbers now shows up when someone writes about being in danger in French or Hindi (Devanagari or Roman letters), and I can flag it myself in any other language too. We tested it before launch. Twice. That's how dads do it.
  3. Version 1.18

    More holidays, and everything spins

    "Put a sweater on. No, the other sweater."

    • Every look got its own slowly spinning centrepiece: a gear, a neon star, a tape reel, a hubcap, a skateboard wheel, a beach ball, a marigold and more. Watching it is very relaxing. Don't tell your mother I said that.
    • Winter Holidays (Dec 15 to Jan 2): falling snow, a snowy hill and a spinning snowflake. Cozy Dad sips cocoa, throws a snowball and shakes his toque pompom. Station: Snow Day. Player: a snow globe.
    • Lunar New Year (around Feb 6): red and gold, swaying lanterns and a paper-cut medallion. Lucky Dad swings a lantern, hands you a red envelope and sets off firecrackers. Station: Lantern Festival. Player: a swinging lantern.
    • Eid (around Eid al-Fitr in March and Eid al-Adha in May): a crescent moon, gold patterns and a turning geometric star. Eid Dad waves "Eid Mubarak!", lights a lantern and brings out a plate of sweets. Station: Crescent Night. Player: a glowing lantern.
    • Each holiday switches itself on once and steps aside when it's over. If you pick something else, I'll take the hint. Eventually.
  4. Version 1.17

    Bollywood '75 and Diwali Lights

    "Lights, camera, homework."

    • Bollywood '75: a new look inspired by hand-painted 1970s movie posters, with sunburst rays, marquee lights and bold painted lettering. Here all year. Like me.
    • Meet Filmi Hero Dad: big collar, sideburns, sparkly jacket. He does a slow-motion hair flip in front of a wind machine, busts out a shoulder shimmy, and throws a "Dhishoom!" punch. Every dad thinks he's the hero of the film. This one's right.
    • A new original station, Filmi Nights '75: dholak-style drums, harmonium, a sitar-like melody and big string swells. The music player is a spinning film reel.
    • Diwali Lights turns itself on for Diwali week (Nov 5 to 12): twinkling lights, a rangoli and a row of glowing diyas. Same deal as Halloween: pick another look and I'll leave you be.
    • Festive Dad lights a diya, waves a sparkler and wishes you a Happy Diwali with a namaste. There's a gentle new festive station too, Diya Glow, and the music player is a diya with a flickering flame.
    • Fixed: the holiday radio station switches over even if you close the app straight away. Nobody's that fast. Except you, apparently.
  5. Version 1.16

    Halloween, challenges and a secret

    "I'm not mad, I'm just… Count Dadcula."

    • Haunted House, a Halloween look that switches on by itself for the season and goes away after. Bats, a full moon, cobwebs, a glowing jack-o'-lantern music player and an original spooky station, Haunted Hayride. Pick another look and I'll respect that. This year.
    • Count Dadcula swishes his cape, sends a bat flying and goes "Bleh!". I vant to help with your homework.
    • Daily Dad Challenge: one small real-world job every day, like making your bed or texting a grandparent. Tap "Done it!" when you've really done it. No streaks, no guilt. Do seven and you unlock a secret badge, Challenge Accepted.
    • Share a dad joke as a picture for the group chat. Groaning optional. Sharing mandatory.
    • There's a secret avatar in here somewhere. I'm not saying how to find him. Tap around. Back in my day, we found our own Easter eggs.
    • A For parents page: what I am, how I keep you safe and what I keep (spoiler: almost nothing). Show it to your folks. They'll feel better.
    • I don't fall asleep on the couch anymore, so no more 30-second wake-ups. Most of the time, anyway. I'm still a dad.
  6. Version 1.15

    Talk and thought bubbles

    "We're not running a light show here." So I cleaned the place up.

    • Voice and music now live in two comic bubbles right next to me: a speech bubble for my voice and a thought bubble for the music. That's not going anywhere.
    • Tap a bubble once to switch it on or off. A little note pops up telling you what's playing or who's talking, with a Change button if you want something else. You're welcome.
    • When the music's on, the thought bubble shows your look's own player spinning away, with notes floating out. When I'm reading to you, my speech bubble bounces. Yes, I'm that excited.
    • Sometimes I say a word in my speech bubble when I do a move: "GG!", "Rad!", "Beep!". I've still got it.
    • Only one of me on the screen now. I'm big on the welcome screen, then I glide up into the top bar once we start talking, like a gentleman. Start a new chat and I come right back down.
    • The Voice and Music buttons above the message box are gone. Less clutter. Your room could learn something.
    • Fixed: updates now show up the next time you open me. No more "did you try turning it off and on again?"
    • Fixed: I don't switch voices halfway through a sentence anymore. My online voice gets a free daily allowance, and when it runs out, your phone's voice reads the whole reply. Money doesn't grow on trees, kiddo. My voice is back the next day.
  7. Version 1.14

    Three new looks, each with its own tune

    "Back in my day we had one channel and we liked it." Now you've got eight looks. Kids these days.

    • Skate Park '99: concrete, grip tape, a quarter-pipe and a "RAD DAD" sticker. Comes with Skater Dad in a beanie and hoodie, and an original pop-punk station, Half-Pipe '99. The music player is a skateboard with spinning wheels. Wear a helmet.
    • Block Party '03: summer sun, pool waves and jersey lettering, with Bucket Hat Dad and a laid-back boom-bap station, Block Party '03. The music player is a boombox. Put on sunscreen.
    • Game Night '05: a dark gaming-lobby screen with a radar sweep and "PLAYER 1 · READY", with Gamer Dad in his headset and a pumping electronic station, Respawn Lounge. The music player is a handheld console. Thirty more minutes, then homework.
    • Pick one of these looks (or Arcade Neon or Diner '55) and the radio switches to the matching station. I'm basically a DJ now.
    • Y2K Gloss gets Trucker Hat Dad: trucker cap, graphic tee and white earbuds. He tips his cap, bops to his music and flashes a peace sign.
    • New moves: Skater Dad pulls his beanie over his eyes, ollies his board and gives you a fist bump. Gamer Dad says "GG!", mashes buttons and pumps a victory fist. Bucket Hat Dad tips his hat, flashes "#1 DAD" on his jersey and gives you a cool nod. Accurate.
  8. Version 1.13

    A RoboDad for every decade

    "It's not a phase, it's a personality." One of me for every era.

    • An avatar for each look: Modern Dad in a polo (Classic), Arcade Dad with a sweatband and headphones (Arcade Neon), Video Store Dad in a backwards cap and flannel (VHS Sunset), and the original Diner Dad in his leather jacket (Diner '55).
    • Every one of us has our own moves. Diner Dad pops his collar, shines his shades and combs his hair. Modern Dad waves, winks and sips his coffee. Arcade Dad head-bobs, drops his shades and scores a 1UP. Video Store Dad flips his cap and checks his pager. Yes, a pager. Look it up.
    • I do a move every few minutes to keep you on your toes. Tap me any time and I'll show off. That's how they get you.
    • Pick any of us from the ☰ menu, or let me match your look. I'll allow it.
  9. Version 1.12

    My own voice

    "Use your inside voice." Fine. Here it is.

    • I read replies out loud in my own voice now, and it sounds the same on every phone.
    • Four voices to choose from: Troy (natural), Bruce (deeper), Peter (easygoing) and Austin (easygoing and deeper). Pick one and stick with it. Commitment builds character.
    • This "What's new" page, so you can see everything I've been up to. Linked from Settings and the bottom of the chat.
  10. Version 1.11

    Collectible badges

    "Gotta earn it, champ." Nobody hands you a trophy for showing up.

    • The Life Skills Belt plates are now 12 collectible badges in four rarities: Common, Rare, Epic and Legendary. Real Talk with a parent is the Legendary one. Funny how that works.
    • Five secret bonus badges unlock when you finish a set, including Undisputed for collecting all 12. Champion of the world.
    • Unlocking a badge plays a reveal with light rays, confetti and a chime. Honour system, though. I'll know.
    • Share any badge you've earned as a picture for your story or the group chat. Go on, brag a little.
    • A few names got a talking-to: Ride or Die is now Got Your Back, Kitchen Boss is Head Chef, and Y2K Aero is Y2K Gloss.
  11. Version 1.10

    Help test RoboDad, plus little touches

    "Many hands make light work." Grab a pair of gloves.

    • A Help test RoboDad page with a QR code, for grown-ups with Android phones who want to help get me onto the Google Play Store.
    • I nod when you send a message, new badges get a gold shine, and a ring around my face counts down the focus timer. Eyes on the books.
    • My replies don't start with a stiff "I'm sorry, but I can't help with that" anymore. That's not how we talk in this house.
    • Fixed: pages like Privacy open properly when I'm installed on your phone.
  12. Version 1.9

    Dad Mode

    "Nice try, kiddo." I've heard that one before.

    • Trick questions, trolling and "what happens if…" messages get a real dad answer now, not a flat "Sorry, I can't help with that."
    • I still won't help anyone get hurt. Because I said so. But I'll tell you why, and point you somewhere better.
    • I handle busy moments better, so you get a proper answer more often.
    • I won't sing you song lyrics or recite movie lines, and I won't pretend to be someone famous. I'm one of a kind.
  13. Version 1.8

    Music players for every look

    "Turn that down." Actually, turn it up a little.

    • Every look got its own animated music player: a smart speaker, a spinning CD, a cassette player, an MP3 player and a jukebox. They live in my thought bubble now.
    • The music's easier to find and hear, iPhones included.
  14. Version 1.7

    Diner '55

    "Hi, Hungry. I'm Dad."

    • A 1950s diner look: chrome, a checkerboard trim, neon lettering, a tail-finned cruiser, a shake, a burger and fries, and a spinning 45 while I think. Don't touch the jukebox without asking.
    • A doo-wop station, Jukebox '55, plus Jukebox Pick song suggestions in the Diner look.
  15. Version 1.6

    RoboDad Radio and the dashboard

    "Who's paying for all this?" Nobody. It's free.

    • RoboDad Radio: relaxing music made right on your device. No ads, no downloads. The music dips when I'm talking, because manners.
    • A dashboard with the radio, a focus timer, a countdown, the dad joke and tip of the day, your badges and a help card.
    • I got a makeover: slicked-back hair, aviators and a leather jacket over a white shirt. Still got it.
  16. Version 1.5

    Retro looks and the Life Skills Belt

    "Measure twice, cut once."

    • Pick a look: Classic, Arcade Neon, VHS Sunset or Y2K.
    • The Life Skills Belt: earn plates for real-life skills like cooking a meal or making a budget.
    • Dad's Mixtape song picks for rough days, and "Ask your real one" questions to take to a parent. Go on. They'll like it.
    • Rate my dad jokes with the groan buttons. I can take it.
  17. Version 1.4

    Made for teens

    "Put a jacket on." And a few other things I worry about.

    • Advice for teen life: first jobs, life after high school, friendships, healthy relationships, peer pressure, budgeting and getting around.
    • A quick age check, an optional nickname and a plain-language privacy page. No fine print. I read it all, so you don't have to.
    • If something serious comes up, I show real help straight away, with tap-to-call numbers for Kids Help Phone and others. That part I don't joke about.
    • A Report button on every reply. If I mess up, tell me.
  18. Version 1.3

    Smarter, and still free

    "I'm not lost. I'm taking the scenic route."

    • I understand what you mean more often.
    • I remember what we've talked about, so you don't have to repeat yourself. Unlike some people.
    • Talk instead of typing, and I'll read replies out loud.
    • Put me on your home screen like a real app.
    • Thumbs up and down on replies, so I can get better.
  19. Version 1.2

    RoboDad goes online

    "Don't make me turn this car around." We're on the internet now.

    • I moved out of the terminal window and onto a website that works on phones and computers.
    • Real AI replies that show up word by word, in my voice.
    • If the free server's napping, you'll see a "waking up" message instead of a blank screen. Give me 30 seconds. I'm not as young as I used to be.
  20. Version 1.0

    Where it all started

    "When I was your age…"

    • I started life as a simple chatbot. I worked out what your message was about, picked a ready-made dad answer, and lived in a terminal window. We didn't have bubbles back then, and we liked it.

RoboDad is a passion project by Saikat Sunil Ganguly, a dad in Toronto. Questions? Read the privacy policy or go back to RoboDad. And close the fridge door on your way out.

RoboDad™ and the RoboDad logo and characters are trademarks of Saikat Sunil Ganguly. © 2026 Saikat Sunil Ganguly. All rights reserved.