Takara Tomy has unveiled the latest in their line of Omnibot toy robots at Tokyo Toy Show 2012. The I-SODOG is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but boasts 15 servo motors that can reproduce realistic movement.
When activated, its eyes light up and users can interact with it through more than 50 voice commands or with a smartphone thanks to a Bluetooth connection. Using a custom app, it will perform tricks on command such as shake a paw, dance to songs you’ve downloaded, or move intuitively by simply tilting the phone. There’s also a Tamagotchi-style artificial life component, allowing you to scold bad behavior or reward it with digital doggy treats, which will foster different “personalities” over time.
The robot pup comes equipped with touch sensors, microphones, and a 3D accelerometer to prevent it from falling over. If its younger owners don’t have access to a smartphone, they can command it with the included remote controller. It also includes some practical features, such as a voice mail system and an alarm function. And if two I-SODOGs are brought together, they will exchange data with one another.
At just 15 cm (6″) in height and length, and weighing 400 grams (0.8 lbs), the I-SODOG is considerably smaller than SONY’s ill-fated AIBO. But thanks to its smartphone connectivity, it has the potential to outsmart all of the older robot dogs in the kennel. According to Takara Tomy, it will have some autonomy similar to the AIBO, and operate for between 1~2 hours on AA batteries. The I-SODOG is expected to retail for around 30,000 JPY ($380 USD) in spring 2013.
In 2007, the company released a miniature humanoid robot toy called the I-SOBOT, which revived its brand of home robots that were popular in the 1980s.
[source: Gigazine (JP), Plasticpals]
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