Roboquad, WowWee's latest robot pet, is a four-legged "spider-like" bot capable of identifying and pursuing a moving object. The chassis is designed to allow Roboquad to move easily in any direction.
Roboquad has three speeds, but is always quick to respond to its environment. It's head swivels, sweeping the room with an infrared beam used to identify movement and even the relative sizes of objects.
Roboquad will be in stores by fall of 2007 and is expected to retail for about $100.
Roboquad does look more spider-like than you might expect from a robot with four legs. Science fiction fans may recall the spider robot from Charles Sheffield's The Web Between the Worlds (even though it had the standard eight legs). Or, perhaps the Jumping Spider Tank Robot Tachikoma is more your speed? In terms of movement, these Autotelematic Spider Bots seem to move similarly. Hopefully, the Roboquad will work better than the N.S.E.C.T. Robotic Insect that seemed to have a variety of mechanical flaws.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 1/7/2007)
Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
''Pardon me, Struthers,' he broke in suddenly... 'haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'' - Isaac Asimov (1940)
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Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
''Pardon me, Struthers,' he broke in suddenly... 'haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?''