Circuit Pet

while (world) {
  observe();
  infer();
  hallucinate?();
  self-correct();
}
while (world) {
  observe();
  infer();
  hallucinate?();
  self-correct();
}
while (world) {
  observe();
  infer();
  hallucinate?();
  self-correct();
}

001101
010011
sigil::bagua
seed::entropy
trace::mechanical
awe::human
001101
010011
sigil::bagua
seed::entropy
trace::mechanical
awe::human
001101
010011
sigil::bagua
seed::entropy
trace::mechanical
awe::human

temperature=0.92
top_p=0.95
sampler=stochastic
runtime=deterministic
user=astonished
temperature=0.92
top_p=0.95
sampler=stochastic
runtime=deterministic
user=astonished
temperature=0.92
top_p=0.95
sampler=stochastic
runtime=deterministic
user=astonished

☰☱☲☳☴☵☶☷
oracle != truth
ritual == interface
meaning <- interpretation
☰☱☲☳☴☵☶☷
oracle != truth
ritual == interface
meaning <- interpretation
☰☱☲☳☴☵☶☷
oracle != truth
ritual == interface
meaning <- interpretation

diff
patch
deploy
measure
repeat
diff
patch
deploy
measure
repeat
diff
patch
deploy
measure
repeat

oracle/latent-seed.map

seed = hash(question + state);
noise = sample(temperature);
pattern = deterministic(seed, noise);
if (human_can_track === false) mark("mystic");
return explainability_gap(pattern);
seed = hash(question + state);
noise = sample(temperature);
pattern = deterministic(seed, noise);
if (human_can_track === false) mark("mystic");
return explainability_gap(pattern);

critique/anthropomorphism.md

## Not a person, still persuasive
- interface implies intention
- language implies confidence
- user infers agency
=> design for interpretability
## Not a person, still persuasive
- interface implies intention
- language implies confidence
- user infers agency
=> design for interpretability

systems/ritual-engine.ts

cast.bagua = pickTrigrams(seed);
cast.moonBlocks = deriveHexagram(seed);
cast.fortuneSticks = burnModel(intensity);
cast.scapula = generateCracks(seed);
return readable_fiction(cast);
cast.bagua = pickTrigrams(seed);
cast.moonBlocks = deriveHexagram(seed);
cast.fortuneSticks = burnModel(intensity);
cast.scapula = generateCracks(seed);
return readable_fiction(cast);

runtime/feedback-loop.json

{ "observe": true,
  "decide": constrained,
  "act": reversible,
  "measure": behavior,
  "learn": weekly }
{ "observe": true,
  "decide": constrained,
  "act": reversible,
  "measure": behavior,
  "learn": weekly }

lattice/state-space.py

def perceivable_randomness(system):
    return complexity(system) > attention_budget

if perceivable_randomness(llm):
    user.labels_output = "fate"
def perceivable_randomness(system):
    return complexity(system) > attention_budget

if perceivable_randomness(llm):
    user.labels_output = "fate"

logs/epoch-ghosts.txt

[trace] t=02:13 system murmurs
[trace] tokens fall like ash
[trace] certainty simulated
[trace] mechanism remains
[trace] human names it chance
[trace] t=02:13 system murmurs
[trace] tokens fall like ash
[trace] certainty simulated
[trace] mechanism remains
[trace] human names it chance

artifact/scapula.svg

artifact/flow-sketch.svg

Oliver 'Oli' Cheng

← Back to projects

2026 live

A tamagotchi-inspired companion exploring how nurture loops can create real emotional attachment to digital creatures.

Astro
TypeScript
Stateful simulation
CSS animation
Interaction design

Demo

Problem

Many AI companion discussions stay abstract and skip the concrete mechanics of how attachment forms through repeated interaction.

Solution

Built a care-driven digital creature with feed/sleep/play/pet/chat loops, timed growth, and behavior changes under nurture vs neglect.

Impact

Turns emotional attachment into a testable interface: tiny rituals, feedback, and consistency can make non-living systems feel meaningfully relational.

Circuit Pet is a small art-and-systems project about relationship design.

Open the live demo: Circuit Pet. Read the companion essay: Circuit Pet, AI Companions, and Emotional Attachment.

Core loop

Name the companion before hatch
Pet the egg to begin incubation
Maintain care through feed, sleep, play, and touch
Watch growth every 30 seconds and evolution at 60 seconds
Observe how neglect shifts mood and trust

Why this matters for AI

Companionship effects do not require consciousness claims. They can emerge from consistent response patterns, memory cues, and user ritual.

That makes this project a practical bridge between toy design and serious AI companion ethics.

Demo Mirror

Live Preview

Mini preview of the actual demo. Use the launch button for full-screen interaction.

Open Demo