- By Christina Bonnington
- November 29, 2011 |
- 12:30 pm |
- Wired December 2011
Photo: Todd Tankersley
- 1// My Keepon
Perfect for: Ensuring that you always have a dance partner.
Geek factor: This blobular bot responds to touches, pokes, and tickles; it also boogies to music. And you can feel good about it: A portion of your purchase helps fund research into using robotics for autism therapy.
$49 - 2// Sega Toys Sakadachi Nyacchi Robot Cat
Perfect for: Practicing your Japanese without losing face.
Geek factor: Sega’s catroid understands 13 commands, but only in Japanese, so you better brush up or risk confusing your new friend. Nyacchi can also sing and perform headstands. Bet that meme-cat Maru can’t do that.
$120 - 3// Pleo rb
Perfect for: Cuddling up with while watching Terra Nova.
Geek factor: Modeled after a newly hatched camarasaurus, a Jurassic-era sauropod, this dinobot has voice recognition and can sense motion, light, touch, and temperature. Put two together and they’ll talk to each other.
$469 - 4// Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0
Perfect for: Ending Lightning McQueen’s reign of toy-box terror.
Geek factor: Four sensors and 619 pieces let you assemble thousands of your own robo-creations. Drag-and-drop programming interface makes it appropriate for kids as young as 10—if you ever give them a turn.
$280 - 5// Paro Robot Seal Healing Pet
Perfect for: Simulating a loving relationship when the Ben & Jerry’s runs out.
Geek factor: Paro is a therapeutic pet with light, touch, sound, temperature, and posture sensors. It “learns” behavior based on its interactions with you. Please: No clubbing Paro—its pelt is artificial.
$6,000
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