Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT available for pre-order in US

We knew it wouldn't be long, but we weren't counting on being able to pre-order Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT in America today. Of course, we aren't kvetching or anything, but Amazon is now accepting orders for the creature here in the US of A, and the asking price is at the low end of what we were bracing for. So go on, secure your place in line for $299.99 -- it ought to ship real soon.

[Via I4U News, thanks Luigi]

[devilghost @ Sep 17th 2007 9:38PM]

Whats the battery life on this thing? any one?

[kingofwale @ Sep 17th 2007 9:43PM]

no offense, what does this do exactly? If I were to spend 300 bucks on it, I want to know exactly what it is.

Does it transform? ;)

[Invisiblemoose @ Sep 17th 2007 9:43PM]

$299 is almost justifiable... I want one.

[DickHardknocks @ Sep 17th 2007 9:44PM]

that IS the Grunt from QUAKE 4

http://pnmedia.gamespy.com/planetquake.gamespy.com/images/oldsite/clusterimages/Grunt.jpg

[humpty @ Sep 17th 2007 9:48PM]

Im just glad i dont have to see that fat ass in the previous post when i open up engadget.

[Johan S @ Sep 17th 2007 10:30PM]

When a robot can finally pass the "get me chips and a drink from the fridge" test I'll buy one for under $300.

[RAWR @ Sep 18th 2007 10:14PM]

preach, brother, preach.

[Jacob H @ Sep 25th 2007 10:16PM]

damn, if i didnt need $300 right now, i would order one ;[

[DarkAardvark @ Sep 17th 2007 10:41PM]

do i have to program the stupid thing? i'd hate that. itd be awesome if it ran on its own with it's own, autonomous AI. leave the programming to lego mindstorms lol

but then again, programming it to dance would be pretty fun......

[Typhoid Mary @ Sep 17th 2007 10:56PM]

This is the kind of product you buy thinking its going to be loads of fun and it usually i--For like 2 or 3 hours. After that your just so embarrassed that you bought it in the first place that you hide it in some closet next to the other skeletons.

[V.I. @ Sep 18th 2007 1:06AM]

Product Description from Amazon.com

From the Manufacturer
The i-SOBOT is fully functional and features 17 custom designed actuators and gyro-sensor that allow it to keep balance and freely move joints for impressive performance, vivid movement, and incredible flexibility. Robot includes speaking vocabulary of over 200 words and phrases and more than 200 pre-programmed movements. It's designed to follow up to 10 voice commands and is ready to go right out of the box!

Product Description
Super-smooth movement in one cool robot! i-SOBOT has unbelievably smooth robotics. You'll laugh at his antics, watch him dance to the beat, do push-ups, somersaults, imitations of animals, hula, play air guitar, kick & punch with sound effects & respond to applause. 200+ action patterns performed by use of LCD remote control, by programmable memory, or by the sound of your voice. i-SOBOT speaks using 200+ words & phrases & can play music.

[jviera @ Sep 18th 2007 9:48AM]

wait, which version is this? The crappy one without the camera? That kinda sucks.

[Sirlight @ Sep 19th 2007 3:54AM]

Did I read it right.... somersaults?
if it is really a robot that does somersaults, then it worth the price lol....

[kgitch @ Sep 21st 2007 4:12AM]

Actually, i-SOBOT is available now for $325 at Neiman-Marcus online

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod45680001&parentId=cat9710736?ci_src=17588969ci_sku=NMOF8_Z6817

which they are calling an "NM Exclusive." Seems like a small premium to get N-M service. They have a video there too. Interesting that Takara-Tomy gave N-M an exclusive selling period.

Enough speculating. Somebody hurry up and buy one and let us know what you think! (I wish I had the $$$ to buy one...)