Tiny, tiny $40 robot navigates around your desktop

Posted by Mark Frauenfelder, April 8, 2009 10:17 AM | permalink

The tiny $40 Robo-Q looks like a lot of fun. Check out the video.

The all-around control, you may never experience it! The 6 directions control plus 3 speed levels. Also the Robot can be controlled via Artificial Intelligence (AI) after you press the AUTO button, then the Robot can detect-and-escape from the barriers. What's more, after you press the AUTO button and Direction button, the Robot can detect-and-trace the objects. In the Trace mode, the Robot can be charged and run to the controller automatically! The controller as a Robot Station can be stored a Robot inside.

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Discussion

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#1 posted by Auto Parts for Brains, April 8, 2009 10:34 AM

I want one of these. I like how they kept the robot looking like toys from the eighties. I wish they kept the controllers smaller though. Just enough to keep the robot it but just small enough to get the controller buttons on. Right now, it has lots of wasted space and bilk.

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#2 posted by mykie, April 8, 2009 12:49 PM

Finally!

My very own Chibi-Robo!

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#3 posted by Anonymous, April 8, 2009 2:09 PM

Bought this in Japan (Kiddyland!) on my last trip, was a bit concerned that my young kids would be put off by the +15 age rating but -- they love it! They treat Robo-Q like a sibling. Should I be worried?

--yarri

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#4 posted by Senna1, April 8, 2009 3:53 PM

Hopefully the batteries last longer than the 15 minutes you can run a Q-Steer

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#5 posted by Anonymous, April 8, 2009 4:13 PM

#3 this robot apparently will rtb for a charge when it gets near "bingo fuel". thats alot more useful (from the machine's side) than beeping and very patiently waiting for me to carry it over to its charger

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#6 posted by trr, April 8, 2009 4:40 PM

Why is it that, "The all-around control, you may never experience it!"?
Engrish?

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#7 posted by takeshi, April 8, 2009 5:02 PM

Does it make a difference if your desktop doesn't have any borders for the robot to detect? I suspect that someone like me may actually buy this thing and use it as you've described, only to unexpectedly find that it does a great impersonation of the yodeler guy from The Price is Right.

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#8 posted by Modusoperandi, April 9, 2009 3:25 PM

Takeshi: coolest reference (for the coolest toy) ever. Either that or your a homemaker or chronically unemployed.