When we looked at WowWee’s Rovio last month, one thing we were certain of was its mod-potential. As of next year, one of the more ambitious hacks will go live: RoboDance 5, with added support for Skype. While setting up the Rovio’s WiFi webcam streaming currently requires a little router tinkering, RoboDance 5 will utilize Skype’s zero-config setup to instantly connect the robot and a remote client, whether that client be Windows or Mac, or even a smartphone.
Our robot-obsessed friend Robert Oschler pointed out this awesome hack involving Skype, a WowWee Roboquad and internet connection, that lets you call up your robot from anywhere in the world, control it remotely and – thanks to a head-mounted video camera – stream live media back to you. Here’s a clip of the beastie in action:
WowWee’s Roboquad gives me the creeps. There, I’ve said it. It’s Robosapien may have been a vaguely friendly ape-like bot, but this multi-legged arachnoid/crab hybrid monster thing obviously triggers some long-forgotten childhood fears of mine. Maybe I was attacked by Mark Tilder wearing a spider suit. Anyway, PC Mag have tested out the white beast, and come away sounding more than a little confused.
As much as I admire the technology inside Wow Wee’s latest, the Roboquad, there’s something about a scuttling spider-robot that freaks me out. Perhaps it’s partly to do with the degree of AI that makes him inquisitive all of his own accord. Using the supplied remote control would be one thing, but having it suddenly dash out from under a chair would be quite another! Anyway, courtesy of our friends over at Robots Rule we’ve got the first Roboquad commercial:
SlashGear Japan
