(Credit:
iiRobotics)
We won't venture to guess why spy bots are so popular on the consumer market, but there's just one question that continues to nag us: Is anybody really fooled by their appearance? It's one thing if they're pawned off as some sort of RC robot or toy, but the design of this latest entry pretty much broadcasts its intent.
The "Spy Snooper Robot Vehicle" from iiRobotics has what looks like a mini-satellite dish and antenna mounted atop a six-wheeled tank, ready to capture every word from the subject under surveillance. It does have a working range of 150 feet from its target, according to Geek Alerts, but the porcelain-white finish doesn't exactly lend itself to camouflage. Apparently $80 doesn't buy NSA-quality equipment (we're relieved to say).
Then again, it's probably just as well. The last thing we need is an affordable piece of espionage gear that even our kids can use, presumably on us.
(Credit:
Vortex HC)
Just how desperate is that housewife next door? If those down-looking satellites just don't do it for you any more, here's another way to keep an eye on your neighbor.
The Vortex Regenerative Air Movement Mobile Robot Platform (VRAMMRP) uses a patented "tornado in a cup" sucking technology to stick to walls and ceilings, then uses six wheels to position itself on the window ledge or other strategic location. Remote controlled by joy stick, the unit can send video and audio via secure Bluetooth. This equipment should be included in any self-respecting paparazzi's toolkit.
(Credit:
Techabob)
If you think your surveillance subjects are suspicious of the eavesdropping lamps and spying alarm clock that you left as housewarming gifts, it may be time to go into true stealth mode. That can mean only one thing: a spy cam hidden inside a wall clock that looks like a tire (or "tyre," in this case).
This unobtrusive, everyday household item is equipped with a remote-controlled digital video camera and a 2.4 wireless transmitter, according to Technabob, as well as a viewing receiver. It's right out of Get Smart.
But don't fret. If this doesn't work either, there's always the robot route.
(Credit:
Recon Robotics)
Maybe it was the influence of the Segway, but some spy bots apparently prefer to travel by two wheels. Earlier we saw the "Spy-Cye," for instance, which almost seemed to borrow its rather awkward design from the "Clocky" runaway alarm clock.
But as it turns out, the bi-wheeled surveillance robot seems to be something of a trend--even in the military. Developed according to Marine Corps specs, the remote-controlled "Recon Scout" is reinforced with titanium to withstand battlefield conditions and can "even be launched out of a mortar, or dropped from an unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle for a ground level point of view," according to Coolest-Gadgets.
The black-and-white camera takes only low-resolution images so it won't win any video awards, but that's obviously not the point. It's designed for portability, sending video wirelessly to its control unit up to 300 feet away, and has been sold for $6,500 to civilian law enforcement agencies as well. So if you see one of these "dumbells" rolling in your direction, don't think it's a toy; it probably means you should vacate the premises ASAP.
The 'Spy-Cye': Separated at birth?
(Credit: Red Ferret)
The 'Clocky'
(Credit: Nanda)At first glance, we thought this was just another version of the "Clocky" runaway alarm clock, in a different color. But then we noticed the small camera that seems precariously perched on top.
It's not the amateurish design of the "Spy-Cye" that bothers us; it's the price--$695. That's because mobile spy bots are rapidly approaching commodity status. Target's toy department even sells one for kids.
It's true that the Spy-Cye can be controlled on the PC, as Red Ferret notes, but that's not unique either. Besides, counter-surveillance technologies are taking the fun--er, effectiveness--out of spy cams anyway.
(Credit:
Gizoo)
Go ahead, take the kids to McDonald's to get their Happy Meal Robosapiens. You know you were going to have to make a trip there anyway, sooner or later. Besides, that'll give you another excuse to get a robot of your own soon--the "Spyke."
As noted when it was introduced last month, this spy bot made by France's Meccano is outfitted with a Webcam, Wi-Fi connection and Skype's latest VoIP software. And now, thanks to Uber-Review, we know its price and availability: 200 pounds in the U.K., or about $391, with an April 9 target release. We also learned a few more details, such as Spyke's handy habit of returning to its base station automatically when it needs recharging. Maybe it can teach our kids to do the same thing.
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