We’re not sure what it is about geeks, sewing kits and the holiday season, but bizarre DIY efforts seem to proliferate at this time of the year. Over at Recombu they’re sharing a stuffed Android doll tutorial, which shows you how to make your very own smartphone desk-stand in the shape of the Android logo, while an enterprising modder over at RoboCommunity has whipped up a dog-costume for his WowWee Rovio.
The image isn’t especially clear, we know, but you’re looking at a WowWee Rovio robot webcam being remotely operated by a flexible E Ink controller. It’s the handiwork of the ASU Flexible Display Center, who took E Ink’s AM300 development kit and used it for two-way communication with the Rovio. Not only can the robot be navigated, its camera feed is shown on the E Ink panel.
Video demo after the cut
Fancy a sneak preview of what Christmas morning might be like for various tweenage kids expecting a new WowWee robot this holiday season? RoboCommunity’s appropriately-named Rudolph has picked up the company’s second new ‘bot, the Joebot, and has shared an unboxing photoset together with some hands-on feedback.
Video demo after the cut
We know this looks like a plastic trashcan full of junk electronics, but it’s actually the inside of WowWee’s Rovio robot webcam just after he’s been given a remote-control mod. Obviously blind to the dangers of granting your robot power over high-voltage appliances, RoboCommunity member Thel has hacked together a system whereby he can switch devices on and off at the mains using Rovio.
While we’d love to say this is SlashGear’s new intern, in actual fact it’s a shot from the first review we’ve seen of WowWee’s RoboRover. Announced at the tail-end of September, the RoboRover is WowWee’s first robot to use tank-track style locomotion and, according to RoboCommunity member GWJax, they – together with the IR-based obstacle avoidance system – do a pretty decent job.
Earlier this month we were lamenting the dearth of consumer robotics in 2009, and it seems someone at WowWee has heard our cries. The company has released preview information of two upcoming ‘bots, the WowWee Roborover (left) and the WowWee Joebot (right), both with remote-control functionality as well as autonomous modes.
Since we’re big geeks here at SlashGear, we’re allowed to get unduly excited at the first inklings of WowWee’s upcoming holiday range. The toy and robotics company has revealed their latest ad campaigns for their new remote-controlled gadgets, including an update on the FlyTech Dragonfly, the CrashFX plane we saw back in April and a mini UFO with LED messaging.
Video demos after the cut
WowWee’s Cinemin Swivel bendy pico-projector is now officially available for pre-order, only around two months since Amazon began accepting pre-orders themselves. Announced back at CES, the Cinemin Swivel is capable of projecting a 60-inch (1.5m) image from over 8 feet (2m) away, and has a 90-degree hinge useful for squirting the picture out onto the ceiling without demanding you hold it.
If the thought of remotely controlling you Rovio robot webcam from a cellphone is appealing, but you don’t have a BlackBerry, then AndRovio may be the solution. Poignant Projects’ app runs on Android devices, and allows full control of Rovio including live webcam viewing, camera position control and snapshots.
Yesterday we heard that the WowWee Cinemin Swivel pico-projector would be landing in the UK come September, together with its UK price. Now the US version of the posable-pico has gone up for pre-order at Amazon, priced at $327.99.
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