ROBOTS DREAMS

Pleo alive and well at CES 2010 (Video)

Pleo, the robotic dinosaur, was showing off its stuff at CES 2010, and looks very much alive and well, even if there haven’t been any really compelling improvements or enhancements since Ugobe went bankrupt.

The robot’s changes, mentioned in the video clip below, include better paint, improved skin, and a new charger design.

Robots Rule breaks the hot inside story on Pleo!

We normally think that robot and even toy development is a pretty dry academic process populated by researchers in labcoats wearing horn-rimmed glasses and pocket protectors. That might be true for some products, but the story behind the Pleo robot dinosaur is better suited for a prime time television mini-series. It’s not Desperate Housewives, but it’s close.

Pleo dinosaur robot gets a second life

We’re happy to report that Pleo, the cute green dinosaur robot originally created by UGOBE has been resuscitated, brought back from the dead actually, and is alive and well, just in time for Christmas, assuming you have deep pockets and can figure out what to do with the little creature.

Jetta, a.k.a. Innvo Labs, based in Hong Kong and Carson Nevada, bought the rights to the Pleo design, and has relaunched the product, and the Pleo World website, in hopes that the robot will gain enough public attention and interest to generate enough sales to recoupe their investment.

Sad But True...

This poor little orphan Pleo seemed so lonely and dejected on the shelf at Tsukumo Robot Kingdom yesterday. His rubber skin had definitely seen better days with it's paint worn away, and it's batteries flat. It was such a sad sight that we serously considered opening a robot dinosaur orphanage.

Unfortunately Pleo prices here, even after Ugobe went bankrupt, are still much higher than the US. This poor Pleo will probably end up in a nearby recycle discount shop, or hacked for spare parts.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Pleo appeals to U.S. Supreme Court Justice

We don't know for sure if Matt Bauer, creator of Rooks Pawn, was ever a Boy Scout or not. But, we do know that he's a wiz at practicing their 'Be Prepared' motto. For example, when an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States happened to come up on his radar screen, Matt immediate jumped at the chance to promote robotics.

Matt writes:

"Clarence Thomas and his son stopped by our shop today for his motor coach generator’s annual maintenance. Never would I miss a chance to talk about the importance of robotics to such an influential man. I don’t know how much bearing this encounter will ultimately have, but I’d like to think he walked away with at least a little food for thought… I know I have. Note: This was the first he and his son have seen a Pleo or heard of humanoid robotics."