Hands-on with WowWee's Robopanda: even grown men like bear hugs

Sure we may come across as rugged and ultra-suave, but deep down we're really big softies, which is why WowWee's new Robopanda is such a refreshing change from the vicious reptiles and flamethrowing humanoids that the company's usually pushing out the door. Well we recently got to go hands-on with the cuddly-looking lil' guy, and we were smitten with both its friendly demeanor and tech cred. Featuring several touch sensitive areas as well as an accelerometer to measure speed (move too fast and it freaks out just a bit), RoboPanda offers numerous methods of interaction. We listened to it tell a story embedded on its proprietary, swappable flash chip, and emitted several "oohs" and "ahhs" as it cuddled up with its plush buddy (there's nothing more beautiful and pure than panda love). The best news is that -- contrary to what had previously been reported -- this model is indeed scheduled for a US release, ready to delight and entertain children nationwide. Until then, go ahead and grab a seat along with a few delicious bamboo shoots, and check out the close-up shots in the gallery below...

Hands-on with WowWee's Robopanda: even grown men like bear hugs

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2007 7:23AM]

It should be furry if its for kids, who wants to hug hard plastic?

[stridermt2k Posted Jan 10th 2007 7:35AM]

Will they breed in captivity?

Will it blend?

[Esat Dedezade Posted Jan 10th 2007 8:27AM]

If you but this your just asking for its eyes to turn red when you go to bed, sit up and walk towards you like a maniacal killing machine...

Its all in this leaflet: 'So you've bought yourself a cute panda killing machine...'

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2007 9:30AM]

Thanks Esat,

as if I already wasn't creeped out enough by Snuggles the fabric softener bear.

Shudders.

I suppose I could learn to sleep with one eye open.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2007 10:01AM]

Anyone else thing this is the first in a wave of new, cute looking killing machines? That blue in the eyes make it look like a cold hard killer! Those hands, easy places for retractable razor claws... This spells trouble.

[stridermt2k Posted Jan 10th 2007 10:53AM]

There's your trouble.
Someone set this thing to "evil".

[Blackfeather Posted Jan 10th 2007 11:10AM]

http://www.blackfeathermedia.com/engadget/evilpandarobot.jpg

(sorry if I posted twice.. the first time didn't seem to work.)

[Esat Dedezade Posted Jan 10th 2007 12:46PM]

^^ SEE, i was right!!! (good job)

[VeronicaBelmont Posted Jan 10th 2007 2:48PM]

It asked me today: "Have you ever been attacked by a panda? *giggle*"

that was enough for me.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2007 4:21PM]

Slap some fur on that panda and you got the cuddly Robotic bear from AI(my favorite movie because thats how its going to end up anyway). Teddy Ruxpin comes to life yet again. Also where are his laser beam eyes and death grip claws?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 1st 2007 10:46PM]

I really want to hear the Robopanda up close and personal in a quiet environment. First of all, to hear just how quiet it's "ultra-quiet" motors really are. The motor noise on most toy robots is quite noticeable. Second, because I believe you have to have super quite motors to make a robot like the Robopanda, which responds to voice commands. Speech recognition would be very hard to do on a robot that was noisy; the microphone would have a tough time picking up the owner's speech over the louder closer proximity motors. Here's more information on the Robopanda:

http://www.robotsrule.com/html/robopanda.php

[kjhosein Posted Jan 15th 2007 2:26AM]

We've got a video demonstration of the Robopanda here: http://www.robocommunity.com/article/10529/Robopanda-Video-Demonstration/?src=111