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Vector, Anki’s cute robot companion, is available today
Anki's Vector, the $2 million Kickstarter darling, is out today, and he's ready to be your best friend. Vector is the follow-up to Anki's first Robot, Cozmo. While Cozmo was more focused on being a toy for kids, Vector aims to be a robot assistant. It will even have Alexa integration by the end of the year, giving it access to a larger trove of information to be able to answer more questions. Vector's defining characteristic are its large, expressive eyes. The Wall-E-esque nature of the robot gives it an adorable personality. And even while you're typing away at your desk, Vector will be doing its own thing, exploring and messing around. It can even do tricks, like pop a wheelie. Vector has a front-facing camera that can recognize your face, as well as a four-microphone array on top for voice commands. And whenever Vector runs low on battery, he'll truck on over to a charging port and juice up. Anki will be updating Vector throughout its lifespan. The company plans to add additional features like delivering messages to contacts, pet detection, music recognition, smart home integration, and Tile support. Vector and the Vector Space, a small plastic plate for your robot buddy to hang around in, is available for $250 and $30 respective on Anki's official website. Vector can also be purchased on Amazon and Best Buy.
Anki's Vector robot brings us one step closer to 'Star Wars' Droids
In my many years testing all sorts of gadgets, few things have elicited as much spontaneous joy as Anki's Cozmo, its adorable robot for kids. Mostly, that was because it had a personality. Behind all of the sensors, cameras and other hardware, there was a team of animators breathing life into it. Now, Anki is taking everything it learned from Cozmo and putting it in a bigger, more powerful home robot: Vector. And unlike Cozmo, you won't need a phone to play with it.
Engadget giveaway: Win an Anki Cozmo robot and Overdrive racing set!
When the holiday season rolls around, it's always a good excuse to get in a little play time. Picking up a few items for yourself or guaranteeing second-hand fun after you gift them is a win-win scenario. This week, smart-gadget maker Anki has passed along some top "toys" for two lucky readers. There's a liquid-metal Cozmo Collector's edition robot, which can be an entertaining companion as well as a platform to limber up your coding skills. When you're feeling a bit brawnier and competitive, there's the Fast & Furious Edition Anki Overdrive racing set. Just connect your mobile device (iOS / Android) to control one of these special edition vehicles, each with special tools, tricks and tactics available to help battle the competition. Anki has provided both a Cozmo Collector's Edition robot and Fast & Furious Edition Overdrive racing set for two winners. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning a set of smart Anki products. Winners: Congratulations to Charles B. of Comstock Park, MI and David G. of Indianapolis, IN!
Anki makes its robot way more needy
Anki's Cozmo robot already seems like it jumped right out of a Pixar movie. Its latest update, however, will make it feel even more like you're taking care of an adorable robotic pet. The newest version of Cozmo's app gives your cute companion three specific needs: Play, Feed and Tune Up. You'll now be able to see on the app if Cozmo is hungry and needs to be fed through his Power Cubes. The fuller it is, the more its likely to exhibit the need to play with you, perform tricks and explore its surroundings. Sometimes, it'll also ask for a tune up to make sure it's in good health.
Anki's cute Cozmo robot can teach kids how to code
In addition to being an adorable robot companion, Anki's Cozmo is now getting a programming platform of its very own. Starting today, Cozmo owners will have access to "Code Lab," a visual programming platform based on MIT's popular Scratch Blocks. Basically, it breaks down all of Cozmo's functionality -- moving, speaking and even recognizing and reacting to things around it -- into blocks that kids can easily rearrange. As usual with Scratch, the idea is to get newcomers familiar with programming concepts, but it could eventually be used to build more complicated routines.
Sony's fantastical Toio cubes combine robotics with papercraft
Sony's made some endearingly offbeat electronic toys over the years -- looking at you people who gave your Aibos funerals. The company's newest addition to its crowdfunding site, First Flight, is likely to evoke the same response. Say hello to the Toio cube.
Anki's cute Cozmo robot is coming to Canada in July
Outside of its robotic remote control cars, last year Anki released a palm-sized robot companion called Cozmo. As adorable as it is intelligent, it rolls around on its tank treads using its arm to interact with the environment and a built-in camera to recognize you or even your pets. Since its debut last fall it has received at least one software update, but was only on sale in the US. Starting next month that will change when it goes on sale in Canada for $250 CA, before it expands to the UK, France, Germany and Nordic countries in September. Even if you live in the US, starting today you can order a $180 Collector's Edition of the bot that comes in a new Liquid Metal finish. Not sure if it's worth the cash? Check out our video and see if you can live without one of these rolling off of your desk every day.
12 gifts for tireless tinkerers
They say the best gifts are the ones you make yourself. But that doesn't necessarily mean you, the gifter, needs to be doing the assembly. Sometimes the giftee will enjoy building their own present. Over the last several years the maker movement has really taken off. And whether you're shopping for an accomplished builder or someone just looking to get their toes wet, we've got a few suggestions. If there's someone in your life that's super into making everything themselves (and you love them enough to drop $1,000 on a gift for them) consider a 3D printer like the Replicator Mini+ from MakerBot. If a grand is a little extreme for you, consider a simple driver set, like 64-piece one from iFixIt. They'll be able to open up and (hopefully) put anything back together with it. If the creator in your life is more into coding than building, consider a tool like RPG Maker, or for the wee one in your life Ozobot's Evo is an excellent place to start teaching programming skills. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
Adorable Cozmo robot will soon recognize pets
Owners of the Anki Cozmo robot will soon be able to have it interact with their pets. An upgrade slated to roll out during the week of December 5th will add new functionality to the tiny automaton that includes reactions to dog and cats.
Anki's adorable Cozmo robot is hard not to love
As someone raised on science fiction and the dream of advanced artificially intelligent robots, I couldn't help but fall for Anki's Cozmo. But really, that's not much of a surprise. The tiny bot already won me over when I first saw it in action back in June, and since then it's been one of my most anticipated gadgets this year. Having a robot pal with the spunk and wit of a Pixar character simply feels more exciting than the prospect of yet another smartphone. And after playing with Cozmo for a few days, I'm even further enamored with the little guy. It's bursting with potential, though the high $180 price means it's not for everyone just yet.
Cozmo the tabletop robot will be user-programmable
Cozmo, a diminutive robot companion, packs some impressive technology and will be far more customizable than originally expected when it's released this fall. Anki announced on Monday that Cozmo will launch with an SDK, enabling users to leverage it as a programming platform as well as an adorable sidekick.
Anki's tiny Cozmo robot is a Pixar character made real
Best known for its sleek and intelligent remote controlled cars, Anki is stepping into new territory with its latest product, a small robot toy named Cozmo. If you've seen Wall-E, you've already got a good sense of its personality. Thanks to a combination of artificial intelligence, robotic movement designed by former Pixar animators and computer vision technology, Cozmo is curious and incredibly expressive, with the ability to interact with the world around it. It's smart enough to recognize your face and remember you over time, and it can explore its environment and play games with its very own toys. But its most interesting feature? It's not a perfect robot, and that's just how Anki wants it.
