Sparky the robodog reacts accordingly to surroundings

Hate to say it, but Pleo ain't got nothing on Sparky. Created by five interaction design master students, this robodog actually responds in sensible ways to positive / negative scenarios going on around it. For instance, the creature will drop its head, whimper and collapse down if faced with "carbon monoxide, cigarette smoke, alcohol, too much dark lighting, hitting and yelling." Consequently, he'll perk up and show signs of excitement when standing in broad daylight or going on walks. All the pluses of having your own pet, minus the excrement and doggy daycare costs -- brilliant! Peep Sparky's day out on the town after the jump.

[404 @ Jun 1st 2008 5:56AM]

Why is the robo-doggy riding a wooden horse in the picture?

Oh. Right...

[martin @ Jun 1st 2008 6:41AM]

my first thought what was wow that's realistic.... then i saw the video lol

[JJV @ Jun 1st 2008 6:58AM]

wait you mean the furry thing isnt the robot? oh.
.....

[Alex @ Jun 1st 2008 7:20AM]

It's kinda funny, because I looked at the real dog, and said to my self 'Meh, it still looks fake'.

...Then I realized the how wrong I was.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 1st 2008 8:13AM]

So it's like a Furby with a smoke detector and breathalyzer?

[JJV @ Jun 1st 2008 8:24AM]

FURBY!!! lol i threw mine down the stairs to see what would happen. Do they still make them??
i had one 10 years or so ago.

[Reader @ Jun 1st 2008 11:57AM]

I thought they were holding a microphone up to the robodog (real dog) that was on some type of weird stand.

[Mikael @ Jun 1st 2008 6:01AM]

Woo! Nice to see my hometown Malmö (Sweden) on Engadget for once.

[Mic2000 @ Jun 1st 2008 7:02AM]

Dude, thats holland, you can see it on the signs.

[Mic2000 @ Jun 1st 2008 7:03AM]

Ohh i'm wrong, nevermind ;)

[X-BLADE @ Jun 1st 2008 7:32AM]

I smell failure.

[Mic2000 @ Jun 1st 2008 9:36AM]

I smell someone who thinks that he can get the highest rank by saying: "I smell failure"

[Derry Quinn @ Jun 1st 2008 10:47AM]

I smell...what is that...it's like...stale ass!

[Jakob Henner @ Jun 1st 2008 1:55PM]

Shock! Actually thought it was Denmark. Do you say "kontaktlinser" in Sweden? Anyway I love Malmö and Malmö loves me.

[Jonathon @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:43AM]

Yeah, and its also cool to see a papillon in the picture too. Our 6mo old is quite a handful, but they are an awesome breed...and one you don't really see that often either.

[zed @ Jun 1st 2008 6:21AM]

You can't teach a wooden dog AIBO tricks.

[Sparky @ Jun 1st 2008 6:57AM]

I'm VERY insulted.

Sincerely,
Sparky the Aibo

[Phil @ Jun 1st 2008 7:02AM]

Cut a slot in it and confuse the postman

[JJV @ Jun 1st 2008 8:25AM]

Lol i actually thought it was a mail box and the dog was attempting to take a robotic piss on it
lol

[Alex @ Jun 1st 2008 7:39AM]

I believe that they said this in the 50s with Gaylord the toy dog.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uCQG5Hb6Gew

[jonas @ Jun 1st 2008 8:06AM]

its awesome! (keep in mind that its a proof of concept/first prototype/iteration).

[Gando @ Jun 1st 2008 3:44PM]

Why would it drop it's head when it smells beer? I want my robo dog to seek out the things I like, beer, a dark and cool environment (with a lack of smoke), and of course, lots of hot company.

Where's my beer and boob detecting pet? Could it look a bit less like a mail box? It'd be great if it looked more like a set of pub chairs and a table.

[chris @ Jun 1st 2008 9:30PM]

Seems to me that Pleo is still a smarter "animal" - if you can use that term loosely. The definition of a real robot is that it is capable of moving on its own within its environment too (ie: walking). Pleo explores towards light - they definitely need to add some mobility to Sparky!

[grjohnston @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:55AM]

It's a good thing that it detects carbon monoxide *and* darkness. That way, when your house fills up with smoke at night, 'cause you were drunk, passed out, and your cigarette lit your couch on your fire, it won't disturb you from your sleep.