| Robo-enthusiasts are a-buzz with giddiness | | | | fair distance or simply wave non-menacingly |
| lately, not just from solder-smoke. The next | | | | at your household pets in a friendly gesture. |
| generation of Robosapien, aptly named the | | | | Should your pet not be appreciative of this |
| Robosapien V2, is now available. But | | | | charming display, the bi-pedal V2 can walk |
| apparently it's in very short supply in North | | | | over to it in one of multiple gaits to ask |
| America, and demand is growing with the | | | | what its problem is? |
| holiday just around the corner. | | | | |
| | | | Advanced Awareness |
| So what's the hubbub surrounding this second | | | | |
| generation toy robot? | | | | Robosapien V2 boasts a multi-sensory system |
| | | | unlike anything we've seen before, |
| Autonomous Behavior | | | | heightening the level of interactivity. His |
| | | | color recognition unit means he can visually |
| Robosapien V2 was designed to pay attention | | | | recognize humans by their flesh tones, |
| to you very closely, whether you teach him to | | | | responding to movements. With a stereo sound |
| move his limbs to certain positions, activate | | | | detection system he can also hear and react |
| a preset function, or program him from the | | | | to noise made by you, and really appreciate a |
| remote control. But are you really | | | | 'pull my finger' joke. |
| interesting to warrant such attention all the | | | | |
| time? Nope. Robosapien V2 is fully capable | | | | He'll also have great sense of his |
| of taking in the environment around him and | | | | environment through infra red vision, |
| start doing his own thing. | | | | allowing him to avoid obstacles, table edges, |
| | | | and highly annoyed cats. The remote control |
| For example, he may decide to explore his | | | | is supplied with a 'laser' that you can use |
| surroundings, identifying other humans and | | | | to trace a path for him to follow with which |
| shaking their hands. Or, if you leave him | | | | a mischievous user could certainly use to |
| alone in a room with a Robopet or Roboraptor, | | | | lead him toward any ill-tempered pets, if so |
| two robots, he can directly control himself | | | | desired. Robosapien V2's touch sensory |
| (COOL!). You may come back to find him | | | | system has also been highly developed, |
| playing fetch with one of them using a | | | | reacting to your handling of him along with a |
| brightly colored ball. | | | | bump into anything. |
| | | | |
| Way More Sapien | | | | Endless Possibilities |
| | | | |
| At 24 inches tall, this next generation | | | | The large group of robot hobbyists that grew |
| Robosapien not only looks more humanoid, but | | | | so enamored with the first Robosapien |
| brings his predecessor's fluid movement and | | | | version, both for its ease of programming and |
| biomechanical agility to a whole new level. | | | | openness to modifications, will really go |
| The head can swivel on the neck, allowing him | | | | nuts for this generation. There are over 100 |
| to recognize and track what's going on around | | | | pre-programmed functions, 4 demonstration |
| him in a way that closely matches a human's. | | | | modes, and a myriad of ways to program him to |
| The flexible waist, with its three degrees of | | | | do what you want. |
| freedom, allows for very complex body | | | | |
| movements such as bending, sitting, lying | | | | Through world renowned roboticist Mark |
| down, standing up, waving, and martial art | | | | Tilden's careful design, you can be sure the |
| maneuvers. | | | | same attention has been given to keeping |
| | | | Robosapien V2 easily tinkerable. Surf the |
| The Robosapien V2's hands are truly an | | | | Internet to see what kind of mods people have |
| evolutionary next step, with fully | | | | been doing with the first one, and that |
| articulated fingers that give him advanced | | | | should get you pretty excited with the |
| grasping ability. This precision gripping | | | | possibilities to come. |
| enables him to grab a ball and throw it a | | | | |