Scientists may never fully understand why
Pleo went extinct, but we've got a big hint for future generations -- it's probably because Ugobe was shipping products to customers who couldn't pay for them. That's at least the story according to Ugobe CEO Caleb Chung, who says that his robosaur was selling well to customers in Europe and Asia, but that the worldwide credit crunch meant that Pleos were just sitting in crates waiting for payment to arrive. It's unfortunate, but there's a silver lining -- the Pleo IP is expected to be a hot commodity during the bankruptcy liquidation, and not just with toymakers. Chung says he sees potential interest from lots of unexpected bidders "because robotics are the next PCs." We'll see about that -- hopefully Pleo is about to evolve.
[Via
SlashGear]
posted Apr 22nd 2009 7:33PM
Amazon cancelled my $99 pleo order from yesterday, claiming it was a pricing error. Damn, I was excited.
Amazon also cancelled my order of 3 Pleo's for $99 each. It's a variable pricing scam by Amazon. I checked the price of Pleo over a 24 hour period and it started at $99, increased to $149, then increased to $199 then to $220 all within a 24 hour period. This was clearly an intentional variable pricing experiment on Amazon's part at our expense. I plan on filling a written complaint with the FTC for false advertisement.
make it rideable and it will sell gangbusters
At first glance it looks like the two in the picture are getting it on.
Pleo better watch out. There's a T-Rex in the background.
I've been where that picture was taken from. =D
Maybe if the Pleo got it on with a Roomba the offspring would be useful. =)
Roombasaurus
This photo is the backstory for a new product.
Ah, so today it's not image recycling day, it's bone idle day.
Nice. Their customer service was nonexistent for many months and their quality control was severely lacking.
"customers who couldn't pay for them"
More like a company that wouldn't make itself accountable for defective merchandise.
I like how they tried to turn it around on customers, though, and play up the IP value.
I received one of the first Pleos, a while back, but I never opened the box. Absolute mint condition if anyone is interested. Hit me up!
Maybe WoWee or iRobot will buy it.
Haha, Engadget Global Corporation.
Thanks for the laughs!
I agree with him, robots are waiting to explode into the consumer market, just like the first personal computers in the late 70's, some affordable but very capable little robot is just waiting to be invented.
dinosaur exhibit @ oregon zoo ftw!
It'll sell for pennies on the dollar.
Nilay you are my hero.
What a load of rubbish, Caleb Chung won't admit it today but no doubt in the future when he creates yet another version of his furby he'll admit to the short comings of Pleo and the fact that people didn't buy it after word got out that Pleo in fact was nothing more than an expensive toy incapable of doing what he promised the unsuspecting consumer what he claimed. Many people bought Pleo based on the idea of AI, but Pleo was just a programmed toy and when it's neck or tail snapped, the skin wore down to the skeleton beneath Ugobe would not repair or replace them. When the teeth chipped or the colour of the skin flaked Ugobe recommended buying craft paint for a do it yourself repair.
When Chung released his now notorious furby he made claim to it learning from it's environment and people all around the world were convinced their furby was unique and intelligent. When Chung released Pleo he admitted in an interview that indeed furby was just a pre-programmed toy incapable of anything really. He'll do the same thing with his next toy in years to come except it will be Pleo in the firing line from Chung.
I'd buy that IP for a dollar!
i'm one of those fiscally responsible ones that loved the idea of one but $350 for it just wasn't a smart play this year.