2008-01-09

Tomy's i-SOBOT a Humanoid Toy Robot (video)

clipped from www.nytimes.com
New York Times


Personal Tech

A Toy Robot That’s a Flexible Friend

clipped from www.nytimes.com

Robots are still far from being the chatty companions seen in science-fiction movies. But some toy robots are becoming more than just conversation pieces.

One recent entry is the i-Sobot from Tomy of Japan. Only 6.5 inches tall, the i-Sobot has a list price of $299, making it less expensive than other advanced robots on the market, which often cost more than $1,000.

The i-Sobot has 17 motors to move its limbs, making it surprisingly fluid. According to James Kuffner, an assistant professor in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, robots that have 20 or more motors can replicate most human movement.

Like many other toy robots, the i-Sobot has a humanoid shape, which is not accidental, Professor Kuffner said. “A human shape has an appeal,” he said. “A dishwasher will only wash dishes, but a humanoid robot can do more.”

clipped from technabob.com
iSobot
clipped from www.youtube.com
i-SOBOT shoots an arrow.

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Related:
A Toy Robot That’s a Flexible Friend - The New York Times
Not Exactly the Jetsons, but Getting Closer - New York Times
ROBOTS DREAMS: i-SOBOT in the New York Times
Man's Best Robot | Walyou
Tomy Robot Is Pretty Cool, Shoots Arrows - Geekologie
tomy i-sobot shoots an arrow straight through my heart on [technabob]