Elon Musk has announced that paid subscribers of Grok will now have the opportunity to trial the platform's innovative new 'Virtual Partner' feature, with a select group of free users also gaining access. The initial rollout includes two engaging characters: the anime-inspired Ani and the adorable cartoon panda, Rudy. Notably, Ani comes equipped with an 'NSFW Mode' specifically tailored to cater to otaku gamers.

This release is being introduced in a 'soft launch' format, requiring users to manually enable the feature. However, future processes are expected to be streamlined for a more seamless experience. Furthermore, users have uncovered that another character named 'Chad' is currently under development, hinting at more companions to come.

In addition to the new characters, Grok has enhanced its existing voice chat mode with an NSFW content toggle, providing users with greater control over their in-app experiences.