Deconstructing Code

Building a Better Cat

Building a Better Cat
After a year of development and deep skepticism within Hasbro and in the toy industry, the result of Mr. Askeland's work hit the market in July. At $35 each, FurReal Friends, as Hasbro named it, has become one of the season's hottest toys and is almost sold out at stores across the country.

Posted by rshah on December 20, 2002| Comments (0)

Sony, Honda animated on robots' role

Sony, Honda animated on robots' role
For consumer electronics giant Sony, which on Tuesday unveiled the sleek and diminutive SDR-4X that can sing in vibrato and dance with fluid or funky motions, robots ought to be entertaining. But for automaker Honda Motor, which showed off the latest version of its Asimo robot at a Tuesday luncheon with foreign reporters, such machines should one day perform useful tasks for their human masters.

Posted by rshah on March 19, 2002| Comments (0)

Sony unveils new robo-pups

Sony unveils new robo-pups
Move over, AIBO. Make room in your robo-kennel for two playmates -- Latte and Macaron, the new robotic AIBO puppies unveiled by Sony

Posted by rshah on September 05, 2001| Comments (0)

AT&T releases voice software

AT&T releases voice software
AT&T unveiled Natural Voices calling it "the most human-sounding computer-speech system in the world." For the moment, customers hoping to license AT&T's Natural Voices technology can choose from three voices - a male baritone named "Rich," a higher-pitched male voice named "Mike," and a female voice named "Crystal."

Posted by rshah on August 01, 2001| Comments (0)

Robofish

Robofish
A Japanese toy manufacturer, Robotoys, has solved the problem by inventing a range of robot fish that look set to become the latest robo-craze.

Posted by rshah on May 01, 2001| Comments (0)

Robots Can Learn Much From High-Tech Playthings

Robots Can Learn Much From High-Tech Playthings
But robotic toys, experts say, may help usher in the day, in the not too distant future, when more practical, utilitarian robots are common around the house. The clever use in toys of microprocessors, memory chips, sensors, servo motors and advanced software, like the sort that makes voice recognition possible, is pointing the way to vastly more advanced robots that can work with humans without intimidating them.

Posted by rshah on March 22, 2001| Comments (0)

Terminator 2 skull with I-C-IT technology

Terminator 2 skull with I-C-IT technology
The talking, seeing replica of Arnold Schwarzenegger's silver Terminator 2 skull contains a camera and Internet connection that lets users see their fellow T2's and speak to them. By logging on to the Terminator Portal, T2 owners can interact with a friend's toy in another part of the world.

Posted by rshah on February 14, 2001| Comments (0)

Looking at Aibo, the Robot Dog

Looking at Aibo, the Robot Dog
NY Times article

Posted by rshah on January 29, 2001| Comments (0)

Sony's pet robot raking it in

Sony's pet robot raking it in
Sony said Wednesday it has received 40,000 orders for an updated version of its popular Aibo pet robot less than four weeks after its launch Nov. 16, marking a smooth start.

Posted by rshah on December 20, 2000| Comments (0)

Furby Hacked

Posted by rshah on November 27, 2000| Comments (0)

An owner for Aibo: Sony introduces humanoid

An owner for Aibo: Sony introduces humanoid
Sony's first humanoid robot has a long way to go before it can wash the dishes, but it kicks a mean soccer ball and does the "Para Para," Japan's latest dance craze.

Posted by rshah on November 21, 2000| Comments (0)

Congratulations, It's A Bot!

Congratulations, It's A Bot!
Your new cyborg baby will be arriving shortly.

Posted by rshah on November 16, 2000| Comments (0)

New version of Sony Aibo Robot Dog

New version of Sony Aibo Robot Dog
Sony let its new robot pet, complete with waggling ears and attitude, out of the kennel Thursday, see also Slashdot