Spy Video TRAKR runs custom kid-built 'applications' for stopping snooping siblings in their tracks

We didn't know the toy industry was ready to jump into the app store game, but apparently' we've underestimated its fad-grabbing prowess. Wild Planet is calling its new Spy Video TRAKR remote controlled robot the first "app-enabled" toy, with special filters and routines that kids can program for the vehicle and share online. We sort of thought Lego's Mindstorms beat them to the punch on this, but we'll try not read too far into things. The bot itself is equipped with a camera that streams video to an LCD-equipped remote, and videos and stills of the TRAKR's exploits can even be stored to an SD card. Sample programs include a routine to detect an intruder, shout a few choice words at the doomed sibling out of the TRAKR's built in speaker, and scurry off into the night, but Wild Planet hopes kids will program even more imaginative routines and share them online. The bot will be available in October for $120.

[7egend Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:22PM]

Bond, James Bond.

[PATRICKmcnicholl Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:25PM]

People! Who want adolescent youths controlling a "spy" bot with a built in camera? It screams hormones. And really spy video and Lego, Please stop calling that "programming applications". For in reality all these kids are doing is clicking buttons on the computer that make it go forward, right, left. To us real developers it is quite demeaning

[ArhcAngel Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:52PM]

@PATRICKmcnicholl

It gets them a head start at VB.net programming.

[FallenArms3 Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:01PM]

@PATRICKmcnicholl I'd say it's as good of an introduction to programming as any.

[PhoenixFox Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:15PM]

@PATRICKmcnicholl Lego don't call it programming applications.

[airmikee Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:32PM]

@PATRICKmcnicholl

You expect us to believe you started programming in C++ without anything prior?

This is no different than the Lego Mindstorms kit you used to get into programming, dickhead.

[writeinC Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:48PM]

@airmikee
I did.

[chispito Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:50PM]

@PATRICKmcnicholl

We VCR programmers don't appreciate it either.

[PATRICKmcnicholl Posted Feb 10th 2010 6:03PM]

@airmikee. wow wow, calm down the hostility. I meant that Programming Routines isn't programming applications. As in creating apps. So why advertise it as it's obviously just instructions for the robot.

[greatpix Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:26PM]

Another toy that would save some lives if used by the military in Iraq/Afghanistan.

[Zamboro Posted Feb 10th 2010 6:03PM]

@greatpix

They do, it's called the Packbot

[fade2blac Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:27PM]

"Light Bright" was my programing toy back in the day...

[HardToBelieve Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:23PM]

@fade2blac

When I was 3 I wanted to be a professional Light Bright artist.

[domopod Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:27PM]

high tech peeping tom!

[Randers Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:51PM]

@domopod

the look on the kids face says it all. Infact, he kinda looks like a tom.

[engadgetcomexcludeengadget Posted Feb 10th 2010 4:29PM]

Band Camp?

[PapaSteveZ Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:11PM]

1. Kid drives new toy into womens locker room
2. Kid learns HTML
3. Kid makes porno website (???)
4. Kid sells small site to major porn company (profit)

[KAL326 Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:27PM]

@PapaSteveZ Kids have it so easy these days. Back in my day somebody actually had to run in there with a camera. Now they can just drive a robot in to do the dirty work.

[gorerubicon Posted Feb 10th 2010 5:35PM]

looks perfect for upskirt

[UrAwFuL Posted Feb 10th 2010 6:30PM]

$120 for this thing? I'm sold.

[Karate Tortoise Posted Feb 10th 2010 7:36PM]

Not very discreet. Either the chick will punt it away after realizing its a big robot car with a camera pointed right up her legs (its obvious!) or she wanted to show the world anyway

[Spiky haired boy Posted Feb 10th 2010 8:02PM]

I guess I won't be wearing my kilt anymore...

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 10th 2010 8:09PM]

"TRAKR, sister's room, warp 9. Engage."

[eman2593 Posted Feb 10th 2010 10:40PM]

ill take all of them hears bill gate's credit card.

[eman2593 Posted Feb 10th 2010 10:41PM]

@eman2593 here's*

[toronado455 Posted Feb 10th 2010 10:45PM]

Interesting that it's called "Trakr". Before Lego Mindstorms there was "bigtrak" by Milton Bradley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Big_trak_white_background.jpg