WowWee's Tri-Bot gets an early review

We got a chance to spend a bit of time with WowWee's Tri-Bot way back at CES earlier this year, but the folks at RobotsRule recently got a chance to put the bot through all its paces in advance of its summer release, and they've now churned out a fairly thorough review. On the whole, they seem to have been mightily impressed by the bot, and they think it'll appeal just as much to more DIY-minded folks as it will to kids, thanks in no small part to its unique wheel base and tilt sensor-equipped remote control. On the downside, the bot's sensors were unable to detect anything on the floor below its chest, and it apparently had a tendency to occasionally topple over while trying to climb walls (the ten minutes of pre-recorded audio also seems like it could get tiring real fast). If that hasn't made up your mind, you can check out the review in video form after the break.

[Via Slash Gear]

[Flashpoint @ May 30th 2008 12:07PM]

When the robots do decide to overthrow humanity, we won't have a chance.

That thing looks like the Makron.

[Ew @ May 30th 2008 1:18PM]

Dude, there is like dog poop all over that guys floor. Might be time to get a Roomba instead of a Wow-Wee Tribot.

[maxz @ May 30th 2008 12:25PM]

"Wow wow wee waa, you are real man! High Five!" - Borat

[Najakwa @ May 30th 2008 12:26PM]

And when they grab you with those metal claws, you can't break free.. because they're made of metal, and robots are strong.

WARNING: Persons denying the existence of Robots may be Robots themselves.

[David @ May 30th 2008 12:27PM]

'That's the mating call of a horny Klingon!'

I wish my alarm clock had that sound

[Gleidus @ May 30th 2008 12:38PM]

wowwee looks like hes sad :(

[frank @ May 30th 2008 1:03PM]

Please blend it.

[Richard @ May 30th 2008 1:15PM]

Is this one of those sex bots I was promised would be coming? No? Damn.. wake me when they get here.

[Technex @ May 30th 2008 1:23PM]

Looks like it lags a bit from the remote lol...

[Dillon @ May 30th 2008 7:44PM]

No offense, but I am not impressed by this thing at all. It has a hard time moving, a very annoying voice, and the games completely suck. The only thing unique thing about it is the "tilt" feature, which didn't even seem to work so well. That "hilarious" explosion at the end was just sad...

This is the kind of toy that is cool for about 15 minutes, and then lives out the rest of its life at the bottom of a toy chest.

[tekdroid @ May 31st 2008 6:24PM]

I was gonna say the same thing. Amusing for maybe an hour to see what it can do, then...
http://www.tri-botonline.com/
The voice. We have more samples of the annoying voice here.

I also prefer the black/white colours much of their other robotics.
http://www.wowwee.com/products_robotics.php

I guess the mobility is interesting (3 wheels with wheels on them).

[Glick89 @ Jun 12th 2008 11:51AM]

Looks like a decent Kilough Drive Platform. Wheels are pefect and look fairly robust.

[Marc @ Oct 24th 2008 10:50AM]

The tribot really is an awesome robot.I think my favourite feature is the alarm clock.
You can find out more about him and where to get him in the uk here:
http://www.robot-toys.org.uk/page/18/Tribot.html

[kurt engelmann @ Dec 15th 2008 12:56PM]

The Tribot looks great in the box, but if you have any problems with it, GOOD LUCK.
Tech support from Wow Wee consists of nothing more than a staff member telling you to "replace the batteries" or sandpaper the battery contacts.
I will NOT buy another product from these folks.