Crave

Through a remote interface, you'll see what Rovio sees.

(Credit: WowWee)

Last week, we reported that Wrex the Dog was showing up at select U.S. e-tailers. On Monday, WowWee, maker of CNET editor Bonnie Cha's favorite work companion RoboSapien, announced that Rovio the roving robotic Web camera is now beginning to show up at some e-tailers.

While Wrex is cute and all, he doesn't really serve any functional purpose. Rovio, however, is cute and extremely functional. His three roving wheels let him move in pretty much any direction. Using an indoor GPS system, Rovio is able to, quite impressively, find his way around the house.

His Wi-Fi-enabled Webcam lets you see whatever Rovio sees from anywhere in the world. You can access Rovio via a compatible cell phone or your PC from the Web. Let's say you're on vacation and you want to make sure your cats have enough food in their bowl. You can remotely send Rovio over to their kettle--no doubt, horrifying them--and get a streamed MPEG-4 video and audio feed. You can even take pictures and e-mail them.

Although the official releases date is September 26, so far, only two e-tailers that we know of have Rovio listed on their Web sites.

• Hammacher Schlemmer for $299.95 preorder
• Amazon.com Currently listed as unavailable

To get a real feel for how cool this thing really is and the potential of the technology, check out the amazing videos at the bottom of this page.

(Credit: RoboCommunity)

Even in the robo-universe all good things come to an end, as we saw with the passing of the beloved Robosapien. But with change comes opportunity, no matter how ill-conceived it might be.

And in this new era WowWee has decided to make good on its promise to release a universal remote that can control all the creations in its ever-expanding stable of bots. The "RoboRemote" works with any infrared-
controlled robot made by the prolific company, though it requires the use of Windows XP or Vista software. We just hope it's not as complicated as other remotes that have left us with psychological and emotional scars.

(Credit: RobotsRule)

It's been a busy few days for the guys over at RobotsRule. First they got a hands-on look at the "Tri-Bot," successor to the once-beloved Robosapien, and now they've set their sights on "Wrex The Dawg."

The latest creation from WowWee's bot meisters is an ill-mannered toy that's "absolutely terrible at being a dog and even worse at being a robot," the site says, "with an appearance that resembles Frankenstein's Dog if he were assembled from a disjointed set of junkyard parts and a face not even a mother could love." Not only that, but he's given to malfunctioning intentionally. How charming.

Actually, despite these dubious attributes, there is one thing worth witnessing: Its impersonation of the outgoing Robosapien. Talk about kicking a bot when he's down.

(Credit: RobotsRule)

So long, Robosapien. It's been a good run, but face it: When McDonald's starts giving you away with Happy Meals, it's probably a sign that your 15 minute of fame are over.

Enter the "Tri-Bot." WowWee's successor to the groundbreaking Robosapien follows closely in its footsteps with exceptional mobility for a toy robot, except that it has no feet. Instead, it has a three-wheeled base that allows it to turn in any direction at the sharpest angles. The bot made an appearance earlier this year at CES, but RobotsRule has just posted the first detailed reviewof it here.

The wheels make it easier to play games and maneuver in general, especially on thick carpets. It also has a sensor remote, which can control the bot's movements simply by tilting, not unlike the way a Wiimote works.

But a feature that's perhaps even more noteworthy is its software, which gives it "the personality of an affable hyperactive youngster" who "frequently makes humorous comments to spice up your playtime with him," RobotsRule says. This could get irritating as well, because Tri-Bot apparently will also make comments on things like dirty floors. Although, given the stained carpet in the video below, one can't really blame it.

(Credit: WowWee)

The way things are going, the desktop could turn into a personal menagerie of robotic creatures. First we had the "Nabaztag," which seemed interesting enough until it revealed its uglier side. Then there was the chirpy "i-Buddy" with its flapping wings. And now we have WowWee's "Chatterbots."

Like its predecessors, these "interactive desktop companions" hook up to the computer and respond when you get e-mail, instant messages, or other communication, as well as remind you of programmed calendar items. As you type certain keywords and phrases they can "let you know what's on their minds" because, after all, their mission is to "comment on your virtual life." Talk about irritating.

SlashGear provided a first-hand look at the dog version, finding it a fairly harmless distraction that can also play MP3 tunes. But we find the other two models much more disturbing: The "Devil/Angel" seems to suffer from Linda Blair-like schizophrenia, while the tutu-wearing "Fairy Godfather" clearly has personality issues of his own.

We might well recommend unleashing the "Tachikoma" robot to clean up the whole lot.

Nikko's R2D2 projector

(Credit: Candace Lombardi/CNET News.com)

NEW YORK--While DigitalLife 2007 did see a better turnout than last year according to those who attended both, there wasn't all that much in terms of new tech toys at the show.

Lots of favorites simply continued to make the digital world rounds.

The R2D2 television projector from Nikko was set up to play the famous lightsaber sequences scenes from the Star Wars films.

Lots of people were playing with the Novint Falcon at the Novint Technologies booth. The company announced Thursday that the 3D game controller would be available at CompUSA stores this October for about $239.

WowWee showed off its RoboPanda, Elvis, Roboquad robots and the Fly Tech Barry B. Benson remote control flying bee.

WowWee's Michelle Chow demonstrates the RoboPanda.

(Credit: Candace Lombardi/CNET News.com)

And who can resist the i-Dog, especially when it now comes in a "Spi-Dog" version. The MP3 speaker pets now even have scarves, hats and ear warmers in addition to the carryall. Too cute.

i-Dog fashion show

(Credit: Candace Lombardi/CNET News.com)

Wrestling Roboquads

(Credit: Candace Lombardi/CNET News.com)

(Credit: WowWee)

NEW YORK--What's black and white and scares me?

The Roboquad robot from WowWee for $99. It's the first robot that's ever startled me or made me nervous. And I loved every minute of the interaction.

I've had the opportunity to meet more sophisticated lifelike robots such as Domo and "Tony X." While some find these humanoid robots unnerving, I've never felt anything toward them but the amused affection one might have for a dog or, say, a Muppet.

The Roboquad is another story.

Watching them in action, these arthropods move so organically that they really seem alive and uncontrollable. It's hard to believe it takes four C batteries. The robot has 72 functions and 40 commands, and it gets better doing them the more you play with it. It can also be put in autonomous modes for exploring its environment or acting aggressively.

And while we all know in the back of our minds that companies are producing robots for war, it's quite a jarring thing to see them before you acting aggressively.

One Roboquad can be made to fight another when in aggression mode. I saw one actually rear up on its hind legs toward the other, a moment I sadly missed with my camera.

In addition to having the quick crawl of a crab, the Roboquad has the same texture and color scheme of an Imperial Stormtrooper from Star Wars. Whether or not this was intentional on the part of WowWee, it certainly makes the robot more intimidating when in aggression mode.

Roboguards also react to changes in light, sight and sound. They have a fast-moving head that lets it "see" shapes, sizes and movement. It will flinch if startled. After my camera flash went off, one of the two Roboquads I met at DigitalLife 2007 quickly turned its head and looked directly at me before resuming his wrestling match.

And you know what? For all these reasons, plus the price point, people are going love this robot.