Takara Tomy's Dacky the Healing Partner robotic dog

They've already laid claim to "the world's smallest robot" title (sort of) so why not go hog wild and snap up "the world's cutest robot" while they're at it, yeah? 'Cause really, how are you going to get much better than Dacky here, with those big expressive puppy dog eyes and six internal sensors for interacting with his doting human companion? Sure, Dacky has nothing on Pleo for actual robotic complexity, but Dacky can also "learn" up to 650 words in Japanese, after starting off with mere barking. He can ask you about your day, wish you a happy birthday and sing along at karaoke. No word on price, or if Takara Tomy will be shipping this one over to the States, but perhaps we just wouldn't be able to handle this much cute -- it's for our own good.

Update: Tomy let us know it's actually "Dacky" not "Ducky". Alright, sure thing.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 3rd 2007 9:45PM]

I'm kind of curious about how it learns words... Is Japanese the only language it can learn? If so, why? Aren't words just sound clips which it recognises and then carries out a short script of movements?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 3rd 2007 5:56PM]

The correct name is actually "Dacky," from the Japanese word "Dakko" which means "hug." I've been testing Dacky for a couple of months and like its predecessors in Takara-Tomy's "Healing Partner" series (Yumel and Nerul) Dacky has an internal clock/ calendar and multiple sensors which allow it to react realistically to its environment. But Dacky adds a new level of sophistication and interaction because he changes over time and his development (or regression) is dependent on the amount of attention he gets.

He starts out very shy and communicates only in dog whines and growls but over time begins to speak more and more Japanese. Besides the "normal" conversation expected of a puppy he eventually begins to recount his travels around the world. He even mixes in occasional foreign language phrases that he's picked up along the way. Eventually, Dacky develops to the point where he will even interact with conversation. He's very cute and very huggable. His "puppy dog eyes" are even more sophisticated than Yumel, since both the inner eye and the eye lid move independently.

Dacky sells for JPY8,400 (incl. 5% tax). The official website is here with more photos and the Dacky story (Japanese only):
http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/dacky/product/index.html

[roach Posted Feb 3rd 2007 8:47PM]

cute