WowWee's $300 Rovio robotic sentry ships this month

The Rovio -- one of WowWee's finest if we should say so ourselves -- is finally ready to roam around domiciles and keep baddies at bay. First announced (and spotted) at CES 2008, this long-awaited robotic sentry is up for pre-order right now, and it comes packing a 640 x 480 webcam to stream back live video in MPEG4 format. Furthermore, it can snap stills, head out on a customized patrol route and avoid obstacles with its infrared sensor. Get ready -- this sheriff's rolling into your town next Friday for $299.95.

[Via Random-Good-Stuff, thanks Juergen]

[aquatsr @ Sep 19th 2008 2:48PM]

Awesome!

[Jash Sayani @ Sep 20th 2008 1:46AM]

Nice. Just saw it on GeekBrief.TV

[Christy McGrory @ Sep 19th 2008 2:49PM]

I'll Take Five. Invading the Pentagon using these plans from 4chan better be as easy as they say it is...

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 19th 2008 2:56PM]

Even the plan's in the Anarchist Cookbook are better than anything from 4chan.

[Phoenix @ Sep 19th 2008 3:48PM]

Anything is better than 4chan...

[Artie Lange @ Sep 19th 2008 4:38PM]

This thing will usher in a whole new area in up-skirt and amateur porn.

[Christian Martin @ Sep 19th 2008 2:51PM]

Oh effing great; it's one of those damned alarm bots from Gnomeregan.

[spiderman @ Sep 19th 2008 3:24PM]

How soon till they start shipping with munitions attached?

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 19th 2008 4:00PM]

You're not really a superhero if you need a plastic robot with guns to do your bidding, Spiderman.

[JTM @ Sep 19th 2008 2:57PM]

It should be able to take some good pictures while it's being stolen from whatever area you set it to guard

[Bob @ Sep 19th 2008 3:07PM]

The video and photos are beamed over wi-fi - probably to a remote hard drive or website. If its stolen so are many of your other items. At least this one will leave you with a photo of who took your stuff - thats more than your DVD player will do for you.

The device doesn't have to be used only for security. It can also be used to check in on the rest of the house. Is there damage after that storm? Do you have a leaking pipe that has caused damage in the home? Has your maid come to do her job? Or has the company you paid to check in on your summer house done their job? Has the pool guy or landscaper shown up this week (have it look out a window)?

These are all things that are helpful to find out remotely while you are away and they are not related to security. $300 for a remote device like this an affordable way to check in on things while you are away for extended periods (if this thing has a way to remain charged).

[Bob @ Sep 19th 2008 2:58PM]

Can it dock itself to recharge like a roomba? If so I would buy one for my other home. It would be a nice way to check in on things & is probably small enough not to set off the house motion sensors.

[mazurekstuff @ Sep 19th 2008 3:32PM]

Clicking the link the article is referring to reveals: It operates for two hours from its rechargeable battery which draws power from the included recharging base (the sentry can locate its base using its built-in infrared sensor when you command it to re-charge remotely); full charge requires two hours.

[Bob @ Sep 19th 2008 3:06PM]

The video and photos are beamed over wi-fi - probably to a remote hard drive or website. If its stolen so are many of your other items. At least this one will leave you with a photo of who took your stuff - thats more than your DVD player will do for you.

The device doesn't have to be used only for security. It can also be used to check in on the rest of the house. Is there damage after that storm? Do you have a leaking pipe that has caused damage in the home? Has your maid come to do her job? Or has the company you paid to check in on your summer house done their job? Has the pool guy or landscaper shown up this week (have it look out a window)?

These are all things that are helpful to find out remotely while you are away and they are not related to security. $300 for a remote device like this an affordable way to check in on things while you are away for extended periods (if this thing has a way to remain charged).

[barry99705 @ Sep 19th 2008 3:43PM]

"Has the pool guy or landscaper shown up this week (have it look out a window)?"

Uhh, no, for that you check the bedroom. :D

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 19th 2008 3:07PM]

I could send this to the kitchen with a note that says, "Please attach a beer to me."

[Xenoterranos @ Sep 19th 2008 3:12PM]

You'll probably have to use "sudo please attach a beer to me" to get it to work.

[superfresh @ Sep 19th 2008 3:17PM]

I could send one to you with a note that says, "Please attach your wife to me."

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 19th 2008 3:27PM]

@superfresh - Ok, but she's dead (asshole).

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 19th 2008 3:59PM]

Why is your dead wife in the kitchen again?

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 19th 2008 4:03PM]

Well, I'm glad I don't have a wife (or a dead one), let alone one that waits in the kitchen to receive beer requests.

[Bakari @ Sep 19th 2008 3:16PM]

Alright, someone attach a taser to this thing and we'll be in business!

[William @ Sep 19th 2008 8:43PM]

Yes, Just wait till someone decides to go all Robo cop and increase this thing by a factor of 10. Imagine these things rolling down the highway keeping the peace.

[Steve_S @ Sep 19th 2008 3:16PM]

Actually it's a pretty cool device. Very useful to check on a rental property or if you are away on vacation.

[superfresh @ Sep 19th 2008 3:25PM]

Wish I had a ranch style home.

[UNKN @ Sep 19th 2008 3:32PM]

Reminds me of the days of Rainbow Six when you're plan out each teams movement. I'm going to get 6 so I can have 3 - 2 robot teams for entry, this will be great.

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 19th 2008 4:08PM]

You've really got nothing better to do with $1,800 than to buy a bunch of robot friends?

I guess we all have more in common than just Engadgeting.

[oturn @ Sep 19th 2008 3:35PM]

Hammacher Schlemmer's "Shipping and Service" charge for the Rovio is $28.95. What a joke.

[barry99705 @ Sep 19th 2008 3:45PM]

Wonder if it will be controllable from one of the mobile browsers in windows mobile?

[Stiv @ Sep 19th 2008 4:11PM]

My dogs would be in perpetual fear of this!

[Simon @ Sep 19th 2008 4:15PM]

One set of stairs and this thing's toast.

[tikiscott @ Sep 19th 2008 4:16PM]

Release an iPhone app to control this and you've got one killer product

[VossBC @ Sep 19th 2008 6:27PM]

I will call mine Tom Servo!

[Artie Lange @ Sep 19th 2008 6:22PM]

Too young, did not get.

[VossBC @ Sep 19th 2008 6:28PM]

**sigh**
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mst3k

[dbam987 @ Sep 19th 2008 4:35PM]

This must have Lego Mindstorms pieces in its guts...

It's a nice gizmo, though it seems more like an expensive toy than anything else.

[oturn @ Sep 19th 2008 5:36PM]

I believe you can control it from any web browser, including Mobile Safari.

[Unknown @ Sep 19th 2008 7:15PM]

I live in Vermont.. how does it handle snow and -25 F?

[RAQ @ Sep 19th 2008 7:21PM]

Who needs a guard dog when you can have a sentry. Ah well I guess its time to take old Yella out back along with the shotgun.

[brad @ Sep 19th 2008 7:29PM]

Sweet.. now i can spy on my sister and her friends when they're having their NUDE pillowfights... who wants to pay to see that? they're 18 fyi...

[Steve @ Sep 19th 2008 11:33PM]

Wouldn't the malfeasants just steal the robot too? In fact if I broke into your house it would probably be for the express purpose of stealing the damn robot.

[Matthew C @ Sep 19th 2008 9:25PM]

Omni Wheels!!!!!

---are tight

[Q @ Sep 20th 2008 11:19AM]

Mobile Safari..now that is just too cool...my surveyor 1 just can't compete with this.

With Rovio™, you will always be just a click away from the people and places that are important to you.
Rovio is the Wi-Fi equipped mobile webcam that enables you to view and interact with its environment through streaming video and audio, wherever you are!
Easily control Rovio remotely 24/7 from anywhere in the world! Use any web-enabled device: PC or Mac, cell phone, smartphone, PDA or even your video game console.
The TrueTrack™ Navigation System allows you to use the Rovio interface to store waypoints — with one click Rovio will automatically navigate itself to the chosen point. Rovio’s built-in LED headlight will help you guide it even in dimly lit locations, so you’ll always know what is going on at home or at the office. No need to worry about Rovio running low on power while you’re away — the self-docking function allows you to send Rovio back to the charging dock to recharge, with the click of a button on your browser. When it’s done charging, Rovio is ready to take its next tour.
Rovio — now you can finally be in two places at once!



imensions:

* Product Height: 13.5 inches (34.29 cm)
* Product Width: 12 inches (30.48 cm)
* Product Depth: 14 inches (35.56 cm)
* Product Weight: 5 lbs (2.3 kg)

System Requirements:

Device running one of the following browsers:

* Internet Explorer 6 or higher
* Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or higher
* Safari 3.0 or higher
* Mobile Safari
* Internet Explorer Mobile, or Opera Mobile
* Windows-based PC with USB connectivity for automatic setup
* (Manual setup via Wi-Fi possible for other devices, including Mac)
* Wireless access point device
* High-speed Internet connection
* Internet Explorer 6 or higher (required for two-way audio feature)

Battery Requirements:

* 1 x 6 V 3000 mAh NiMH rechargeable battery pack (Included)

Package Contents:

* 1 x Rovio
* 1 x Instruction manual
* 1 x Quick Start Guide
* 1 x Charging dock with built-in TrueTrack™ Beacon
* 1 x Mast
* 1 x 6 V 3000 mAh NiMH rechargeable battery pack
* 1 x USB cable
* 1 x 8 V AC/DC adapter
* 1 x Rovio Setup CD


• Rovio detects your computer settings and guides you through the setup process.
• Control Rovio remotely via a web browser from anywhere with an Internet connection.
• Its head-mounted, moveable camera and wide range of vision enable you to see and hear exactly what Rovio sees and hears, on your screen, anywhere in the world!
• Set waypoints so that Rovio can navigate itself around your home, without having to control each step yourself!*
• At the click of a button, send Rovio back to the charging dock using its self-docking capabilities — even when you are not at home!*
• With Wi-Fi connectivity, use almost any web-accessible device –from your cell phone to your PC – to easily control Rovio.
• Guide Rovio through dimly lit locations with the aid of its built-in LED headlight.
• Rechargeable NiMH battery included
• 1 x Charging dock with built-in TrueTrack Beacon
• 3 x Omni-directional wheels
• 1 x Head-mounted VGA camera
• LED illumination
• 1 x Speaker and 1 x microphone for 2-way audio
• USB connectivity
• Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b and 802.11g)

[highjumpman @ Sep 20th 2008 6:54AM]

"1 x Mast"? Do they CTF in teams?

[Wwhat @ Sep 20th 2008 10:36AM]

Hmm, how does it open doors exactly?

[MarkD @ Sep 22nd 2008 1:38PM]

A nice toy, but with a 2 hour battery life it's not a good security device. Dogs still win.

[obsonb @ Sep 23rd 2008 4:15PM]

Cool, I wonder if RoboJoes.com will sell them?

[top100 @ Oct 13th 2008 12:16PM]

my dog would tear this thing up, bury it, then get back to guarding against kamikazee bluejays
and rowdy squirrels, big dogs ftw.

[Fred @ Oct 29th 2008 10:09AM]

Hammacher Schlemmer has them in stock!
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/75738.asp