Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Drexel University turns to 3D scanners, printers to build robotic dinosaurs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/drexel-university-turns-to-3d-scanners-printers-to-build-roboti/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/drexel-university-turns-to-3d-scanners-printers-to-build-roboti/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/drexel-university-turns-to-3d-scanners-printers-to-build-roboti/#comments
3D printers, 3D scanners and robotics are usually more than enough on their own to get us interested in something, but a team of researchers at Drexel University have played one other big trump card with their latest project -- they've thrown dinosaurs into the mix. As you can probably surmise, that project involves using a 3D scanner to create models of dinosaur bones, which are then reproduced (at a somewhat smaller scale) using a 3D printer. The researchers then hope to use those to build working robotic models that they'll use to study how dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals may have moved and lived in their environments. That work will start with a dinosaur limb that they expect to have completed by the end of the year, after which they say it will take a year or two to build a complete robotic dinosaur replica.

Drexel University turns to 3D scanners, printers to build robotic dinosaurs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d printer3d printers3d printing3dPrinter3dPrinters3dPrintingdinobotdinosaurdinosaursdrexeldrexel universityDrexelUniversitypaleontologyrobosaurusroboticsThu, 23 Feb 2012 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad 2 gets an $8 million Cretaceous makeover with dino bones, diamonds and gold]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/ipad-2-gets-an-8-million-cretaceous-makeover-with-dino-bones-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/ipad-2-gets-an-8-million-cretaceous-makeover-with-dino-bones-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/ipad-2-gets-an-8-million-cretaceous-makeover-with-dino-bones-d/#comments In case you weren't aware, Apple's sold a whole lot of iPad 2s, so aside from the couple of bezel color choices or adding a Smart Cover, there's not much you can do to make your tablet stand out from the crowd. Well, now there's another option for the well-heeled gadget lover. Stuart Hughes is back with another custom gadget for the economic elites called the iPad 2 Gold History Edition. It's got a solid gold backside, an Apple logo and home button crafted from a total of 65 flawless diamonds, plus a bezel crafted from Ammolite rock and slivers of thigh bone from a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Between all that ice and prehistoric bling, there won't be a problem picking this iPad out of a lineup. What is a problem (for most of us, anyway) is the price: eight million dollars. We dig the dino look and all, but that's an awfully hefty entrance fee -- we'd rather buy a stock slate and take a few dozen trips to the final frontier instead.

iPad 2 gets an $8 million Cretaceous makeover with dino bones, diamonds and gold originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ammoliteapplediamondsdinosaurdinosaur bonesDinosaurBonesdinosaursexpensivegoldiosipadipad 2Ipad2richslateslatesstuart hughesStuartHughest rext-rextablettabletsTRexMon, 31 Oct 2011 23:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Pleo bares it all for FCC approval]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/pleo-bares-it-all-for-fcc-approval/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/pleo-bares-it-all-for-fcc-approval/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/18/pleo-bares-it-all-for-fcc-approval/#comments Poor Pleo. Everyone fell in love with the little green dino at first sight, but no one actually bought the thing. Undaunted, the adorable fleshy robot made a triumphant return at this year's CES as Pleo RB (that's "Reborn"), with the help of adopted manufacturer Innvo Labs. The newly invigorated 'bot brings voice recognition, more sensors, and RFID-based command learning technology to the table. With all its new gear in place, Pleo was poked, prodded, and peeled by the FCC, revealing, among other things, that new RFID reader in its chin. The results are gruesome and not recommended for faint of heart robot dinosaur lovers. You've been warned.

Gallery: Pleo Hits the FCC

Pleo bares it all for FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2011 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dinodinosaurfccfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissionInnvoinnvo labsInnvoLabsPleoPleo RBPleoRbrfidrobotroboticstoytoysWed, 18 May 2011 21:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese robotic triceratops skeleton packs Linux, no horns]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/chinese-robotic-triceratops-skeleton-packs-linux-no-horns/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/chinese-robotic-triceratops-skeleton-packs-linux-no-horns/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/chinese-robotic-triceratops-skeleton-packs-linux-no-horns/#comments FROG (Four-legged Robot for Optimal Gait) has a ways to go before it can become a real dinosaur. The camouflaged robot is a prototype of a triceratops skeleton designed by Dr. Wei Wang and a number of PhD students at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Automation, and is downright timid compared to, say, Boston Dynamics' horn-wielding BigDog robot. It has joint angle sensors, acceleration sensors, a pan-tilt camera, and a number of other sensing devices. The robot has a Linux system inside and communicates wirelessly with a host computer -- though it still requires a plug for power. Dr. Wang hopes that the 'bot will show up in museums or other dinosaur exhibits when it's a bit more complete. He balks at comparisons to our beloved BigDog, however, since it has DC Motors and isn't hydraulic, so don't expect this herbivorous reptile to carry your luggage over rocky terrain any time soon.

Continue reading Chinese robotic triceratops skeleton packs Linux, no horns

Chinese robotic triceratops skeleton packs Linux, no horns originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big dogbigdogchinaChinese Academy of SciencesChineseAcademyOfSciencesDC motorDcMotordinosaurdinosaursDr. Wei WangDr.WeiWangFROGInstitute of AutomationInstituteOfAutomationrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypseRobotstriceratopsWed, 20 Apr 2011 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Pleo RB cuddles up to CES, we go hands-on and talk to Innvo about future Pleos]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/pleo-rb-cuddles-up-to-ces-we-go-hands-on-and-talk-to-innvo-abou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/pleo-rb-cuddles-up-to-ces-we-go-hands-on-and-talk-to-innvo-abou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/pleo-rb-cuddles-up-to-ces-we-go-hands-on-and-talk-to-innvo-abou/#comments The folks behind the Pleo robot dinosaur didn't have much but promises and a giant, not-for-sale version of the bot at last year's CES, but Innvo Labs has come through this year. They have a number of their new Pleo RB dinos on hand, and we got a chance to both check them out and talk to Innvo COO Derek Dotson about what the future might hold for the robot dinosaur that refused to die. As for the current Pleo RB, while it may look relatively unchanged from before, it does boast some fairly impressive improvements, including voice recognition (with any language), more touch sensors, the ability to sense temperatures, RFID-based "learning stone technology" for feeding and other advanced commands, and time of day awareness. As you might be able to surmise, the combination of those latter two means that the Pleo will get slow and lethargic if you don't take care of it, but Innvo assures us that it won't actually die (just make you incredibly sad).

It sounds like we could be seeing some even bigger changes in future generations of Pleo, though. Innvo tells us that they've basically pushed the current design to the limit, and they seem to be keeping all options on the table for future models. We asked about different versions, internet-connectedness, and even a Roomba-like ability to recharge itself, and Dotson said that Innvo considering all of those, but that it doesn't want to rush and do anything that would dilute the Pleo brand. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look at the Pleo RB, and head on past the break for a video.

Gallery: Pleo RB hands-on

Continue reading Pleo RB cuddles up to CES, we go hands-on and talk to Innvo about future Pleos

Pleo RB cuddles up to CES, we go hands-on and talk to Innvo about future Pleos originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 21:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2011ces2011derek dotsonDerekDotsondinodinosaurhands-oninnvoinnvo labsInnvoLabspetpleopleo rbpleo rebornPleoRbPleoRebornrobotrobotstoyvideoSat, 08 Jan 2011 21:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Pleo RB robosaur now on sale for $469, Christmas now cleared to take place]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/pleo-rb-robosaur-now-on-sale-for-469-christmas-now-cleared-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/pleo-rb-robosaur-now-on-sale-for-469-christmas-now-cleared-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/pleo-rb-robosaur-now-on-sale-for-469-christmas-now-cleared-to/#comments Worried that your holiday celebrations just wouldn't be able to take place without an autonomous robotic dinosaur roaming the halls and frightening the grandparents? Fret no more. With under a fortnight to go, Innvo Labs has managed to put the revitalized Pleo RB (Pleo Reborn, if you must know) on sale, with a stiff $469 getting you a newborn dinosaur with a Li-Polymer battery, a charging cradle and a training leaf. Yeah, a training leaf. Unfortunately, the MSRP here is a fair bit higher than the $350 that Ugobe charged for the original, but at least the price premium does include a tougher hide, a newfangled RFID sensing system and a stronger, longer-lasting battery. And really, who could say no to a smile like that?

Continue reading Pleo RB robosaur now on sale for $469, Christmas now cleared to take place

Pleo RB robosaur now on sale for $469, Christmas now cleared to take place originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Derek DotsonDerekDotsondinodinosaurinnvo labsInnvoLabsJettanow availablenow shippingNowAvailableNowShippingon saleOnSalePleoPleo 2Pleo RBPleo RebornPleo2PleoRbPleoRebornrobotshipshippingshipstoytoysvideoFri, 17 Dec 2010 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched On: Giving fax the axe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/switched-on-giving-fax-the-axe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/switched-on-giving-fax-the-axe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/switched-on-giving-fax-the-axe/#commentsEach week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Today's smartphones handle voice conversations, short texts, email, instant messages, and tweets from around the globe. They are moving toward real-time translation of languages -- and if the batteries malfunction, they can even send smoke signals. But if there is one staple of communication that has seemed immune from "app-ification," it is the fax machine. This dial-up dinosaur has proven so resilient that it seems certain that the mutant cockroaches surviving humanity may find some use for 14,400 bits per second document transmissions. However, a recently launched $3 app for the iPhone may be the harbinger of the demise of the fax, or at least for one of its most common rationales.

Continue reading Switched On: Giving fax the axe

Switched On: Giving fax the axe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndinosaurfaxfax machineFaxMachineiphoneswitchedonzoshTue, 23 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pleo returns to CES with big promises, bigger Pleo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/pleo-returns-to-ces-with-big-promises-bigger-pleo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/pleo-returns-to-ces-with-big-promises-bigger-pleo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/pleo-returns-to-ces-with-big-promises-bigger-pleo/#comments
Pleo (and its new maker Jetta) isn't exactly out in force at CES 2010, but the company is here with some promises about a new and improved second generation Pleo and, perhaps more importantly, a giant version of the current Pleo. Unfortunately, it's not for sale, and Jetta apparently doesn't have any plans to change that in the future, so your Kota triceratops won't be getting a buddy anytime soon. Jetta also isn't offering anything much in the way of actual details about the next generation Pleo, but it is promising that it'll be more than just a simple revision. In the meantime, feel free to take a wild trip through the world of Pleo in the gallery below.

Gallery: Pleo returns to CES with big promises, bigger Pleo

Pleo returns to CES with big promises, bigger Pleo originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2010Ces2010dinosaurhands-onpleorobotFri, 08 Jan 2010 00:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Pleo gets new dance moves, alpha dev kit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/video-pleo-gets-new-dance-moves-alpha-dev-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/video-pleo-gets-new-dance-moves-alpha-dev-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/video-pleo-gets-new-dance-moves-alpha-dev-kit/#comments We've seen the Pleo get shredded, overtaken by a Wii wand, and generally mocked for its status as a perennially endangered species. With no dignity left to protect, its makers have decided they might as well kick out an SDK, or PDK in this case, to let the great unwashed masses have their way with the originally autonomous bot. Still only in the alpha stage and not yet widely available, the dev kit has already borne fruit in the shape of a shockingly awesome dance video. We've got it for you after the break, but a warning first: prepare to fall in love all over again.

[Thanks, Eric]

Continue reading Video: Pleo gets new dance moves, alpha dev kit

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Video: Pleo gets new dance moves, alpha dev kit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dancedancingdancing robotDancingRobotdev kitDevKitdinosaurJettaPDKPleoPleo development kitPleoDevelopmentKitrobotvideoFri, 28 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[LEDSAUR Tyrannosaurus Rex desk lamp makes chewing through paperwork less monotonous]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/ledsaur-tyrannosaurus-rex-desk-lamp-makes-chewing-through-paperw/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/ledsaur-tyrannosaurus-rex-desk-lamp-makes-chewing-through-paperw/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/ledsaur-tyrannosaurus-rex-desk-lamp-makes-chewing-through-paperw/#comments
We'll be straight with you: it was pretty much love at first sight for us and dinosaur bones, and while we've always harbored a secret desire to someday acquire a real T-Rex fossil for our private collection, the LEDSAUR is probably our best shot at anything even close to that. Besides taking on that famous shape we love, this carnivorous piece of lighting is pretty stylish, with each of its vertebrae represented with an LED. The lamp is made of stainless steel, it's bendable, and it comes with a remote control. It's sadly only available in Japan for the time being, and runs between $115 and $270.

[Via CrunchGear]

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LEDSAUR Tyrannosaurus Rex desk lamp makes chewing through paperwork less monotonous originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>desk lampDeskLampdinosaurlamplightlightingt-textyrannosaurus rexTyrannosaurusRexFri, 31 Jul 2009 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Canon unveils augmented reality dinosaur show in Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/canon-unveils-augmented-reality-dinosaur-show-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/canon-unveils-augmented-reality-dinosaur-show-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/canon-unveils-augmented-reality-dinosaur-show-in-japan/#comments
Canon's just unveiled its new augmented reality display in Chiba, Japan, and we have to say, we're thinking about heading over there to check it out... and hopefully experience what it's like to be eaten (virtually) by a T-Rex. Featuring 260 dinosaur specimens, the display makes us of a virtual reality viewer -- one for each person roaming round the exhibit -- putting the dinosaurs at a "distance" of about 5 meters. The exhibit will make use of various Canon products, including an inkjet printer, an LCD projector and several different cameras. The dinosaurs will be on display starting July 18th until August 1st, so you probably want to just go ahead and book a flight right now.

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Canon unveils augmented reality dinosaur show in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented realityAugmentedRealitycanondinosaurdinosaursjapanvirtual realityVirtualRealityWed, 08 Jul 2009 20:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Kota the Triceratops unboxing and hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/kota-the-triceratops-unboxing-and-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/kota-the-triceratops-unboxing-and-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/16/kota-the-triceratops-unboxing-and-hands-on/#comments We were pretty stoked about PlaySkool's Kota the Triceratops robotoy, but after an hour or so studying the beast with the help of two diminutive guest reviewers, we're just not all that sold. Sure, Kota turns his head, wags his tail, opens his mouth and plays sounds effects in response to his 11 touch and weight sensors, but he just doesn't do much else. Plus, almost everyone is disappointed to find that the $300 dino doesn't walk -- it was the first question from adults and kids alike. Still, Kota's an adorable little scamp, and while he's not quite the kid-sized Pleo we were hoping for, he's certainly appealing -- here's hoping Kota 2.0 learns how to stomp around a little bit.

Gallery: Kota the Triceratops Hands-on

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Kota the Triceratops unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dinosaurfeatureskotakota the triceratopsKotaTheTriceratopsplayskoolrobot dinosaurrobot toyrobot toysRobotDinosaurRobotToyRobotToystoytoysThu, 16 Oct 2008 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Kota the Triceratops ships from the land before time to your home]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/08/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/08/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/08/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/#comments
Playskool's Kota the Triceratops is a robot dinosaur that uses 11 sensors to respond to touch and sound by wiggling its horns, wagging its tail and turning its head. It also plays a few "adventure themed songs." Best of all, it can't stampede or impale anyone; like the animatronic Triceratops in Jurassic Park, Kota can't get up and move around. That won't stop kids from adoring it though. Like Pleo before it, Kota's cuteness overpowers all. Don't believe us? Shipments have begun, so you can buy the cuddly robot and see for yourself. All you need is 300 bucks. Or you could just check out the video beyond the cut.

Continue reading Kota the Triceratops ships from the land before time to your home

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Kota the Triceratops ships from the land before time to your home originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animatronicdinosaurkidskotakota triceratopskota-the-trceratopsplayskoolrobotshippingtoytriceratopsWed, 08 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Samsung's Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/23/video-samsungs-soulful-dinosaur-takes-tour-around-england/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/23/video-samsungs-soulful-dinosaur-takes-tour-around-england/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/23/video-samsungs-soulful-dinosaur-takes-tour-around-england/#comments
Remember that not-entirely-innocent looking prehistoric creature that won your heart immediately upon viewing Samsung's optical illusion promotional vid? Apparently quite a few folks demanded to see more of the Soul dinosaur, so Sammy hoisted him up onto a truck and proceeded to drive around a few English towns. Catch the sub-2 minute journey (reactions included) just after the break.

[Thanks, Claudio]

Continue reading Video: Samsung's Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England

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Video: Samsung's Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdinodinosaurenglandmarketingpromopromotionalsamsungsoulvideoMon, 23 Jun 2008 04:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Samsung's Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/22/video-samsungs-soulful-dinosaur-takes-tour-around-england/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/22/video-samsungs-soulful-dinosaur-takes-tour-around-england/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/22/video-samsungs-soulful-dinosaur-takes-tour-around-england/#comments
Remember that not-entirely-innocent looking prehistoric creature that won your heart immediately upon viewing Samsung's optical illusion promotional vid? Apparently quite a few folks demanded to see more of the Soul dinosaur, so Sammy hoisted him up onto a truck and proceeded to drive around a few English towns. Catch the sub-2 minute journey (reactions included) just after the break.

[Thanks, Claudio]

Continue reading Video: Samsung's Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England

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Video: Samsung's Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdinodinosaurenglandmarketingmobilepromopromotionalsamsungsoulvideoSun, 22 Jun 2008 15:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Mattel's D-Rex wants a piece of Pleo, your leg]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/21/mattels-d-rex-wants-a-piece-of-pleo-your-leg/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/21/mattels-d-rex-wants-a-piece-of-pleo-your-leg/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/21/mattels-d-rex-wants-a-piece-of-pleo-your-leg/#commentsIf you're content with letting time pass you by, you may not realize that this year's holiday shopping season is but ten months away, and apparently, Mattel thinks it's got the whole hottest toy thing figured out already. Granted, we'd place our bets on that wildly animated Elmo Live fellow (and yeah, Kota is a legitimate dark horse), but the $150 D-Rex dinosaur is still pretty slick. Aimed at kids ages six and (way) up, the interactive dino reportedly features 100 different roars, "lifelike" skin (saywha?) and the ability to respond to a variety of commands or simply take a chunk out of your ankle if he prefers. Looks like Pleo's got its work cut out, eh?

[Thanks, Braden R.]

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Mattel's D-Rex wants a piece of Pleo, your leg originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d-rexdinodinosaurmatteltoytoy fair 2008ToyFair2008Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Kota the Triceratops makes our childhood toys look like wooden blocks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/16/kota-the-triceratops-makes-our-childhood-toys-look-like-wooden-b/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/16/kota-the-triceratops-makes-our-childhood-toys-look-like-wooden-b/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/16/kota-the-triceratops-makes-our-childhood-toys-look-like-wooden-b/#comments

As if there weren't enough toys out there already to make us grown-ups incredibly envious of kids today, Playskool's now taken the wraps off its new Kota the Triceratops "toy," which looks to be the closest thing to a Pleo that you (or, rather, your kids) can actually ride. While we're guessing Kota's few notches below Pleo on the robo-evolutionary ladder, the 40-inch tall toy at least has movement sensors on nine areas of its body, and is able to react to you by moving its head, tail, mouth, and horns, not to mention play "adventure-themed songs" at the push of a button. Look for it to be available this fall for about $300, with six D cell batteries required to power it.

[Via Popgadget]

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Kota the Triceratops makes our childhood toys look like wooden blocks originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dinosaurkotaplayskooltoySat, 16 Feb 2008 02:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Pleo ready for US pre-order: $349 for your eventual destruction]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/21/pleo-ready-for-us-pre-order-349-for-your-eventual-destruction/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/21/pleo-ready-for-us-pre-order-349-for-your-eventual-destruction/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/21/pleo-ready-for-us-pre-order-349-for-your-eventual-destruction/#comments
Check it US Pleo hopefuls, UGOBE is now taking pre-orders for the hotly anticipated dinobot. The price? Well, it's not $250, or even $300 as we were originally told. Rather, the cuddly killer is now pegged at $349. Pre-orders can be executed directly from the UGOBE website or via the usual array of on-line retail partners. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait a few months before your Pleo can "inspire mystery and awe as a companion" -- it doesn't ship until October. Plenty of time to ponder the threat of inviting a robot and dinosaur into your home. Now head on over to Pleoworld for plenty of hot, groaning, dino-on-dino action.

[Thanks, Vladimiro]

Read -- Press Release [warning: PDF]
Read -- Pleoworld [warning: moaning robots, crank down the volume]

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Pleo ready for US pre-order: $349 for your eventual destruction originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsdinosaurpleopleowordrobotugobeThu, 21 Jun 2007 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[UGOBE delays the Pleo again, adds new sounds and sensor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/ugobe-delays-the-pleo-again-adds-new-sounds-and-sensor/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/ugobe-delays-the-pleo-again-adds-new-sounds-and-sensor/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/ugobe-delays-the-pleo-again-adds-new-sounds-and-sensor/#comments
We won't go so far as to call this thing vaporware: there's clearly an uber-cute, finger-biting robot in the works here (and that new press shot to prove it!), but our confidence has been shaken by this latest Pleo delay. UGOBE, which was claiming until recently that it would begin taking orders of some sort in March, with a price of roughly $250, has just announced that it's going to be releasing the bot in the summer of 2007 for about $300. To blame for the delays are new improvements based on test user interactions, including a brand new chin sensor -- sensor number 35 for anyone keeping track -- because that seems to be a touching favorite. Pleo is also getting better and louder speakers and an increased number of sounds for "fostering an emotional connection." Finally, UGOBE is brushing up the looks, with better sculpting in the hard plastic parts and more detailed eyes, along with adding muscle-like tissue under the skin to enhance the feel. You can't fault UGOBE for trying to make this thing perfect, we just wish they'd make it perfect a little sooner already. Peep a couple new shots of Pleo after the break.

Continue reading UGOBE delays the Pleo again, adds new sounds and sensor

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UGOBE delays the Pleo again, adds new sounds and sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dinosaurpleorobottoyugobeThu, 01 Feb 2007 17:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Ugobe readies Pleo for pre-order, kicks out feature spot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/30/ugobe-readies-pleo-for-pre-order-kicks-out-feature-spot/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/30/ugobe-readies-pleo-for-pre-order-kicks-out-feature-spot/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/30/ugobe-readies-pleo-for-pre-order-kicks-out-feature-spot/#comments

Sure, you've probably seen way more Wowwee robot action in the past few weeks than you ever thought your retinas could stand, but since you persevered, why not give this not-exactly-related family member a few ticks of your time too? Ugobe's Pleo has been a long time coming, and while we've seen a small clip of the dino in action before, now the two-week old Camarasaurus has its very own advertising spot. The video showcases the wee creature's ability to "sense," feel emotions, walk, interact with its environment, and "learn" over time. Furthermore, it looks like the company's previous estimates of a March launch date could be on target after all, as the website now states that pre-order information will be available in four short days. So if you're even pondering picking up an intelligent pet from the Jurassic period that doesn't even need those uber-expensive booster shots, click on through for the marketing hoopla.

[Thanks, Eric C.]

Continue reading Ugobe readies Pleo for pre-order, kicks out feature spot

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Ugobe readies Pleo for pre-order, kicks out feature spot originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousCamarasaurusdinodinosauremotionemotionsexpressionpleosensorstoyugobeTue, 30 Jan 2007 22:56:00 EST