Ugobe Pleo - an Aibo replacement

February 10, 2007 | Links

I always wanted an Aibo but they’re so expensive and, well, Sony have now pulled the plug on them. That and they seemed to look more ridiculous with each new version (the current one has a potato for a head).

The idea behind the Robosapien was good, and they look quite cool, but once you get one you realize that actually they are rather clunky and not really capable of doing anything worthwhile. They just wobble, and have trouble picking up the smallest lightest objects… including the very light plastic cup that they come with.

Now I have found out about the Pleo and I am hoping and praying that it works out. Initial impressions, based upon the videos I have seen, are sketchy. It moves really well but I am concerned that it looks a little bit cheap with the fake skin (you can see the seams and the metal feet show at the bottom).

I’m still not entirely convinced by it but they are certainly very interesting, and assuming it is successful then version 2 or 3 should be amazing.

• « How to find out what people want
• Dave Bollingers Pixel Robots »