New Spykee models to be announced at CES 2008

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jan 2nd 2008 at 5:14PM

Word on the street is that your favorite build-it-yourself bot is about to get some wacky new siblings. If you'll recall, the Erector-branded, Meccano Spykee is a DIY bot which incorporates a webcam, VoIP, DAP functions, and other robotic accessories which make it slightly more friendly and interactive. Well now the day-glo automaton is getting a handful of new playmates in the form of the Spykee Cell, Spykee Vox, and Spykee Miss -- three sassy new models that plan to slowly motor their way to world domination using only their good looks, "special light and sound effects," and concealed-yet-deadly laser vision (note: we're not sure that they have laser vision). Additionally, some of the bots are getting equipped with Bluetooth and voice-activated functions. The new entries to the line are set to be unveiled at -- you guessed it -- CES 2008, where the faithful Engadget staff will be poised, hands ready, cameras charged, to pounce on and photograph the new subjects. Until then, we can only dream.

Filed under: Robots

Tags: CES, ces 2008, Ces2008, erector, meccano, spyke, spykee, Spykee Cell, Spykee miss, Spykee vox, SpykeeCell, SpykeeMiss, SpykeeVox

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Matt @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:27PM

Dude, is that a tank bot from base wars the nintendo game

Neutral

Matthew Hilario @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:59PM

dude that was the best nes baseball game ever.

but no, it's a picture of the mecchano robot by erector.

Neutral

henry @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:19PM

looks to me more like one of the villans from the old Marathon games on mac....

Neutral

T.W.G @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:29PM

3 new models but NOTHING is available!

They don't even have the 1st one ready for shipping and we're waiting for 6 months now? Still unavailable and this makes me very angry. I want to buy this thing!

Neutral

Rob @ Jan 6th 2008 1:57PM

You and I are in the same boat, waiting for something that was supposed to ship months ago... Except the new WowWee Rovio might be better, so I might cancel my Spykee order and pre-order a Rovio!

Neutral

Number5 @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:09PM

Yep T.W.G. - four Spykee's announced, and not one available, but there is a third. Spykee Micro. See http://www.spykee.org/MoreSpykeemodels/SpykeeMicro/tabid/275/Default.aspx

The only problem, Spykee Micro doesn't really do much. It's just a half-size version of Spykee that it remote controlled. That's all!

The good thing is, Spykee Micro only costs £20.

Neutral

Johan S @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:32PM

It looks like Johnny 5 from the movie Short Circuit.

Can it get me a soda from the fridge? If yes, good.

Neutral

Jason @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:09PM

When are they going to make little Johnny 5 robots to sell? I'd buy one of those!

Neutral

Matthew Hilario @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:59PM

but will it play ds with me the way r.o.b. played gyromite?

Neutral

Rob @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:09PM

Yeah, what's up Engadget. There is no Spykee #1 available (thought they were supposed to deliver in October 2007), how come you don't know this, and why aren't you investigating what the delay is about?

Neutral

Gary! @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:10PM

Is it just me, or does that resemble Robot B-9 from the (awful) Lost In Space movie? Before they put the retro-bubble head on it of course.

Neutral

RefriedBeaner @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:37AM

Judgement Day is coming! First is this T-1 model then cyberdyne systems then skynet, then machines are going to take over the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!

Neutral

adammackillop @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:54AM

Anyone see the Shep Fairey ref.? I doubt he'd be impressed... kinda like the Black Flag ref. for Black Friday...

Neutral

pete @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:58AM

Yeah! When is the first Spykee actually going to ship? I've had mine on pre-order for four months!

Neutral

David S @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:48AM

Wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?

Neutral

Albert van Breemen @ Jan 4th 2008 12:52PM

Hey, the waiting is worthwhile as this seems to be a family of cool robots!!!

Albert
---
Talk more about Spykee on the Spykee Community site http://www.spykee-robot.com

Neutral

Rob @ Jan 6th 2008 2:02PM

Yeah, I guess good things come to those who wait. And I think that good thing is the just announced Rovio! I ordered a Spykee from Amazon.com in September, and since it never was shipped, I'm now free to wait a little longer for a robot that appears to do more what I am looking for -- the Rovio! I bet a lot of potential Spykee buyers will opt for the Rovio. And I bet the Rovio will deliver on time, unlike the Spykee which was supposed to be my birthday present last October.

Neutral