i-SOBOT named “Robot of the Year”

Robotics

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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December 19th, 2008 4

How about that? Tomy’s i-SOBOT, which the company just discontinued, was named Robot of the Year in Japan (by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) .

Judges awarded this year’s Grand Prize to i-SOBOT due to its advanced technology, its high entertainment value, and its reasonable price of under 30,000 yen (around $300). Equipped with 17 miniature servo motors and a set of gyro sensors for balance, the 350-gram (12 oz), 16.5-centimeter (6.5 in) programmable humanoid can walk, play air guitar, dance the hula, and perform 200 other moves. The tiny hobby robot is also equipped with a set of gyro sensors for balance, and it can be controlled via remote control or simple voice commands. The robot runs for about an hour on 4 AAA batteries.

[via Pink Tentacle]

We still have i-SOBOT’s in the Maker Shed, at a very deep discount. Get ’em before they’re all gone.

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