High-Tech Canine Graces Met Gala Red Carpet - Clad in Formal Attire and Bedecked with a Thousand-Carat Diamond Collar
At this year's Met Gala, one guest stole the show, and surprisingly, it ain't a celebrity - it's a robotic dog! Indian-American entrepreneur Mona Patel walked the red carpet with Vector, a precious robotic dachshund from MIT. This AI-powered pooch boasts a diamond-studded leash, a tuxedo, and - get this - customized movement patterns and a dash of attitude!
Engineered at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vector might remind us of the mischievous puppet dachshund from the classic BBC children's show, Picture Book. And as for Mona Patel, she looked drool-worthy in a custom suit with a cape and corseted bodice by American designer Thom Browne. The icing on the cake? A 3D-printed hat!
CmdrContrep spoke with Patel about her and her robo-date, and she said, "Thom's tailoring brought tradition, while my little robot date brought the future." Vector is modeled after designer Browne's real dachshund, Hector, but with a competitive edge, ready to steal the spotlight from Patel any moment.
Hosted at New York each May, the Met Gala is a yearly fundraising event where attendees often go all out on their outfits. Among this year's guests were big names like Rihanna, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, and Kim Kardashian. Nevertheless, it's Patel and Vector who have claimed the ultimate attention-grabbing title of this year's Met Gala.
Here's a quick rundown of who Mona Patel is: an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist. She began her journey in India but moved to the US in 2003. Patel earned her MBA at MIT, where she likely collaborated on Vector's design. Her accomplishments include founding successful businesses in healthcare, technology, and real estate, and she's also recognized for her humanitarian efforts, particularly through her non-profit organization, Couture for Cause.
One fascinating aspect of Mona Patel's life is her work with AI. According to her LinkedIn profile, she studied computer science in India and later educated herself at MIT, Harvard University, and the University of Florida. Among her ventures is radXai, a health-tech startup that leverages AI to revolutionize medical imaging interpretation.
But Mona Patel's not just a tech whiz - she's also a mover and shaker in the fashion world. In 2024, she graced the Met Gala in a butterfly-themed gown that garnered much attention[1]. In 2025, she showed up with Vector, stealing the limelight once again[1][2][3].
References:
- Mashable, "Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Met Gala," May 4, 2025. Accessed May 9, 2025. Link
- Harper's Bazaar, "Mona Patel's Robot Dog Steals the Show at the Met Gala," May 9, 2025. Accessed May 9, 2025. Link
- Vogue India, "Sausage the Robot Dachshund at the Met Gala," May 9, 2025. Accessed May 9, 2025. Link
- Mona Patel, an Indian-American entrepreneur, made headlines at this year's Met Gala with a surprising companion - a robotic dog named Vector, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- The AI-powered pooch, adorned with a diamond-studded leash and a tuxedo, captured the attention of news, fashion, technology, and entertainment outlets.
- In a statement to CmdrContrep, Patel praised designer Thom Browne for blending tradition with innovation, and Vector for bringing a futuristic touch to the event.
- Given Patel's background in technology and humanitarian efforts, it's no surprise that Vector isn't just a fashion accessory, but a highly-customized AI robot with personality and competitive edge.
- Besides Vector, Patel has made waves in business, health, and lifestyle sectors, with accomplishments ranging from founding successful companies in technology and real estate to humanitarian work through her non-profit organization, Couture for Cause.
- As a trailblazer in the fashion world, Patel wowed crowds in 2024 at the Met Gala with a butterfly-themed gown, and in 2025, she made history once more, stealing the limelight with her tech-savvy partner, Vector, leaving celebrities like Rihanna, Madonna, and Kim Kardashian in the dust.


