Robotic toys are so much fun and entertaining and can also be great educational toys. Robotic toys have been developed and refined quite a bit since Leonardo da Vinci’s model, and the first toy robot was made in 1939 when Westinghouse created Elektro, a human-like robot, and his companion, the robot dog Sparky. A smaller version, the Omnibot 2000, was a toy robot developed during the 1980s.
A company called WowWee created the most advanced human-like robotic toy called the Robosapien in 2004. Priced at less than $99 (US), the first cost-effective, mass-produced humanoid sold four million units and brought to life to the consumer robot industry.
The robot market has continued to grow at a very rapid rate. Nowadays, there is an increasing desire to buy and use robots, whether it is a toy for our children, a security system or a lawnmower, its use is shared by adults and children alike.
Popular robotic toys
The Roboni game
Robotic toys are fun to have, but they don’t really have the same multiplayer functionality that video games currently have. That could all change with The Gaming Roboni-i, Earth’s first programmable gaming robot.
It’s easy to customize and packed with games; play alone or against friends with similar robots. You can even create your own games or download games created by others. To set up a multiplayer game, robots need to be linked together in a group so they can identify each other. When this occurs, it can be mixed with and played with other The Gaming Roboni-i units.
Robosapien
Robosapien is a highly developed mix of personality with technology. Loaded with attitude and brains, Robosapien is the first robot based on applied biomorphic robotics technology. The Robosapien is able to distinguish objects and even skin tones and recognize when its owner enters the room. Additionally, Robosapien also has internal tilt sensors that can terminate most functions when in unusual positions, such as lying on his back. The good thing about this humanoid is the ability to stand up in cases where it tips over. Robosapien is a fast-moving, programmable robot. The Robosapien has real multi-speed fast dynamic runs, turns and walks.
Robosapien has four programming modes: Sensor Right, Sensor Left, Sonic, and Master Program. The left and right sensors are activated when the sensors on their matching sides are activated, the sonic sensor is activated when the robot hears a high-pitched noise (and is in Listen mode), and the master program is activated from the remote control.
Lego mind storms
Lego Mindstorms allows you to create and program robots that can do almost anything. Lego Mindstorms gives you the chance to build your own robots and program them to perform all kinds of actions. Version 1.0 RCX bricks feature a power adapter connector that allows for uninterrupted operation rather than reduced run time when using batteries. In version 2.0 (as well as later 1.0 included in RIS 1.5), the power adapter connector was removed. Version 2.0 of the Robotics Invention Kit includes a programming environment that puts many professional programming products to shame. It’s easy to understand why many schools are standardizing brainstorm kits for teaching robotics classes.
wrex the dog
Wrex the Dog’s nose functions as a stop button when he’s moving and a random activity selection button when he’s not. Wrex the Dog is able to move, play and follow commands and run like a real dog. He can turn his head, wiggle his ears, pant, and even wag his tail.
The first robotic arthropod known as Roboquad
The first robotic arthropod known as Roboquad is a four-legged spider-like robot with unparalleled mobility and awareness. The first robotic arthropod known as Roboquad is built with advanced sensory awareness, helping it to respond immediately to the surrounding environment and follow a moving object in any direction, including forwards, backwards, and sideways. The first robotic arthropod known as the Roboquad, from WowWee Robotics, claims the honor of being the first true robotic arthropod. It is fundamentally an animated robot that has multi-directional movement capabilities and highly developed sensory perception.
The first robotic arthropod known as the Roboquad even has a longer battery life for extended missions. Capable of detecting movement up to 6 feet away with an IR scanner, it can also search and navigate doorways and distinguish table edges. When the lights go out, the first robotic arthropod known as Roboquad can continue to function, turning on LEDs mounted on its head that allow it to move in the dark. The first robotic arthropod known as Roboquad becomes moody, happy, attentive, distant and nervous when walking on any type of floor. The first robotic arthropod known as Roboquad can even dance.
Tread Based Roborover
The Tread Based Roborover appears to be WowWee’s 2009 successor to his hugely popular Tri-Bot robot which first appeared in 2008. The main difference is that the Tread Based Roborover has treads instead of wheels.
Tread-based Roborover is enabled with object recognition. It has front and rear sensors that prevent it from crashing into walls. The tread-based Roborover’s tread wheels allow it to maneuver over objects with an incline of up to 15 degrees, or about an inch in height. Tread-based Roborover is a Tread-based animated friend with a shy but inquisitive nature, his personality grows and he becomes more confident as you play with him. He is always eager to be on the move or play with you. Tread-based Roborover has several different modes: Explore, Observe, Wait, and Sleep. Explore mode does exactly what you’d expect; Tread-based Roborover navigates around the room autonomously while avoiding bumping into objects. Sensor-based LED headlights will turn on automatically if it’s dark. The Tread Based Roborover features a mix of vocal content and driving based gameplay.
Rovio mobile security robot
The Roving Rovio security robot allows you to be in two places at the same time! WowWee The Roving Rovio Security Robot includes a WiFi connection that allows you to drive it from anywhere in the world as long as you have a web-enabled mobile phone or PC with an Internet connection. The Roving Rovio security robot’s built-in LED headlight will help direct it even in dimly lit places, so you always know what’s going on at home or in the office. Its mobile skull-mounted camera and wide range of vision allow you to accurately see and hear what The Roving Rovio Security Robot sees and hears, on your computer screen, anywhere in the world!
You don’t have to worry about the Roving Rovio security robot running out of power while you’re away – the auto-docking feature lets you send the Roving Rovio security robot back to the charging cradle to recharge, at the touch of a button . your internet browser. Once it finishes charging, the Roving Rovio Security Robot is ready to continue guarding your home or office.
