droolicious : robots

Classic Vans for Robot Fans

Heather Kuldell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:05:00 GMT

My boy already bounces around like he's part bionic. So to ease the wear and tear on his hinges and hydraulics, I opt for tried and true brands like Vans. These slip-on robot shoes ($34) feature ankle biter 'bots in lively colors. And let's face it: Summer is not the time to fight with laces.

Robotcha? You Betcha

JeanneSager — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:31:00 GMT

In a household where Yo Gabba Gabba's Plex reigns supreme, it's been a tough row to hoe with the slim pickings for female robot fans out there.

Hello Robotcha, a company conceived under the direction of its owners' three-year-old son. It's a place where robots and ice cream are omnipresent, and we've finally found robots for every kid's futuristic fantasy. Switch the nameplate on your front door to the Jetsons, because the future is here and if it strikes your fancy, it comes in pink, light green and even ruffles.

The company with "shirts for kids who like robots" - because what kid doesn't? - Robotcha sports boxy designs that come from a whole new box. Robots with ice cream cones, green bots planting flowers (the GrowBot), and friendly automatons waving howdy. Suddenly, we don't even care if it will clean our bathroom for us; at least these robots turn out our kids looking good.

Get a hoodie for her, a tee for him and throw one in the pile for Dad (Father's Day is coming, hint, hint) straight from Robotcha.

Gary, a Future-Proof Robot Made from... Wood?

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Who says robots have to be made out of steel to last multiple generations? Gary, the handmade hemp, pine and oak robot from Our Children's Gorilla, can take nearly anything the kids throw at it -- which is good, because at this price, how many of us could justify throwing Gary away?

900 SEK (around $114 U.S.) from Our Children's Gorilla.

Robot Light: Tin Man With a Heart

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

During the day, this robot light appears to be just another unfeeling bucket of bolts -- but flick the switch, and we see one tin man who apparently got his wish to have a heart.

Dimensions are 18" x 9" x 4", and it includes a 40W bulb -- $29 from The Afternoon.

Robot Plush Doll Ready to Hotwire Our Heart

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Large Robot Plush Toy with Headphones: not much in the way of a name there, eh? Well, what it lacks in off-the-shelf glitz, this 14" plush robot makes up for in cuteness and personality. Plus he makes a way better snuggle buddy than that MP3 player whose earbuds you're rightfully worried about sending kids into bed with.

$40 from Hey Killah! [Plastic and Plush]

The Most Awesome Valentine’s Day Gifts

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Ah, remember when Valentine’s Day was a couples affair? Chances are dang good that if you’re reading this blog, your special someone has multiplied into special someones. Fear not, we have a few recommendations for those immediate family needs, particularly those with a little sense of humor.

Kick off the day with a big “I love you,” but say it with toast. Order an “I Love You” Toast Stamper, press it on your bread of choice and pop the thing in the toaster. Mmm, crisp love for only $4.50 at Archee McPhee.

Little details can show your sweet side. Slip a French Heart-Shaped Sugar on the edge of morning coffee (or tea or hot chocolate). A 64-count box is on sale for $9.99.

Oh baby, the options for the wee babe are numerous, but I like the I Got the Beat T-shirt. Each American Apparel t-shirt features an anatomical heart and reads “I got the beat” in both English and Japanese. Available in baby blue or lavender for $18. BTW, there’s a matching stuffed ani ... er, organ too.

For your sweetheart’s sweet hair, check out the Hugs and Kisses Valentine’s Day Hair Clip. Each clip is a little smaller than 2 inches and handmade with wool felt. Pick one up for $10.95. (For more girly suggestions, check out Sunny’s list here.)

For the kids who like to cuddle, Mini Robot with Headphones take the edge off of robots. Each of these 6-inch plushies are hand-sewn felt and feature a big ol’ red heart and safety eyes. It’s a limited run and will cost $28.

For those who believe in magic, try the Heart Musical Fairy Wand. Spread the love with pure imagination or the chiming sound the aluminum alloy makes. Each wand measure between 10 and 12 inches tall and is prices at $4.99. Other designs are also available.

For the fighter (and not a lover), the Vermont Teddy Bear Company created the 15-inch Ultimate Lover. The bear’s gloves feature red hearts and the shorts read “You’re a knockout.” Silly? Absolutely. But even tough kids have a soft side somewhere. Bears start at $69.95 and can be customized.

For the parent who’s been extra good this year, treat him or her with a Sony Ericsson Cyber-Shot Camera Phone. The C902 is slim, but features a 5-megapixel camera with flash. Most cell phones on the market hover around the 1.3-megapixel mark or boast if they reach 3.2. Five, on the other hand, is a decent enough camera that leaving a separate device at home is actually possible. Available in a very Valentine-y Lusicious Red or Swift Black, it’s a splurge at $499.99, but it’s marked down from $549.

And for yourself, offer your partner a few Love Lotto scratch-offs. Each ticket offers a mix of winnings: french kisses, hot dates or get lucky. Woohoo! You both win! For $9.95, get 100 tear-out game cards.

CES 2009: Paro Theraputic Robots Help Very Sick Kids

Chris Ford — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:30:00 GMT

The therapeutic benefits of pets and animals has been documented. But most hospitals won't let animals in, especially in places like intensive care units. Paro Therapeutic Robots from Japan are now trying to bridge that gap, and give kids (as well as the elderly or anyone else who may be very ill) some comfort during tough times.

The Paro robot has five different sensors, which allows it to perceive people and respond to stimulus. They are as soft and cuddly as they seem, and recharge through the "pacifier" in their mouths (as pictured).

The Paro Therapeutic Robot will be available in the US later this year. They're being marketed to hospitals and other care facilities (not consumers) and will cost around $6,000.00. Check them out at ParoRobots.com.

Big Deal: $200 off Pleo the Dinosaur at Amazon

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:34:00 GMT

Pleo the dinosaur grazing (Amazon customer image.)

We've gushed about Pleo the robotic dinosaur multiple times here at Droolicious, but in these tough economic times, it's gotten progressively harder to justify the little critter's $350 sticker price. Not this week, however, as Amazon has slashed away $200 to bring Pleo down to (somewhat) recession-friendly standards.

$149.99 (plus free shipping!) at Amazon, but you'd better order soon in time for Christmas.

The Babble Review: My Family's Weekend With D-Rex

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

While I don't believe in spoilng the kids this close to Christmas, the allure of a packaged robotic dinosaur is too much even for me to resist. So, yeah, when Mattel dropped a D-Rex robotic dinosaur on the doorstep this past weekend, I gave in and decided to let the kids torture-test the little beastie. Here's the verdict, in 18 million words or fewer:

Out of the box: Despite its fearsome looks and studded collar, D-Rex didn't have the three little boys in my home running for cover. Even my 2-year-old, who's normally a little skitterish around anything animatronic, lit up when I flicked the "on" button and D-Rex gave his first gruff, synthesized yawn. Chalk one up for Mattel's R&D team, I suppose, in sticking to the old adage that boys + dinosaurs + robotics = toy-aisle gold.

All rubber, all guts, all fun: inside view of D-Rex's robotic skeleton.

First impressions: D-Rex's textured rubber surface yields to touch and feels lifelike enough (in fact, if you're particularly squeamish, you could almost say it feels kinda gross). Sure, you can feel the cold, hard skeleton beneath D-Rex's exterior, but it doesn't really take away from the experience, since you won't be picking him up too often. Unlike Pleo, this one's not meant to be cute and cuddly -- although again, Mattel might know something I don't, as all three of my kids were fawning over D-Rex as if he were their new baby brother.

D-Rex's controller is so easy to use, a toddler could (and did) figure it out.

Hands-on play: D-Rex comes with a plastic bone that doubles as a simple, five-function remote control. Press the "Attack" button and he moves forward while giving a big old roar. Press "Seek" and he uses a sound sensor to find and walk toward whomever's calling him. "Prank" shows D-Rex's playful (and rude) side, causing him to emit a burp or a fart followed by a mischievous giggle, and in "Guard" mode, D-Rex scans the room for intruders (e.g., Mom, Dad, or anyone else kids don't want in their business) and roars when he finds one. My kids' personal favorite was "Q & A" mode, which turns D-Rex into a glorified Magic 8-Ball. All weekend, the boys delighted in getting "yes" responses to some variation of "D-Rex, do you like me?" and giggling when D-Rex would shake his head "no" about one of their brothers.

Feeding time: D-Rex also "eats" by chomping his bone controller -- this makes for a slightly weird experience, as you essentially have to open his jaws and force the bone inside to hear him chomp. Plus, when he's not hungry, D-Rex makes a gagging sound upon crunching down on the bone -- not the most pleasant thing to hear coming out of any toy, prehistoric or otherwise -- and lets up when you release it. I get it, but blecch.

Robotic bang for buck: Kids expecting full motion control over D-Rex may be a little disappointed: This dinosaur is as stubborn as a first-grader when it comes to following orders. But that stubbornness -- he's intentionally programmed to move about with some degree of independent-mindedness -- is also part of D-Rex's charm, and once you figure out that he's not always going to go from point A to point B, watching him go from C to Q to Z and back to J (when he feels like it) makes for an entertaining experience. At the end of the day, despite his gruff exterior and hard-headed personality, D-Rex just wants to be loved -- and thanks to a number of discreetly placed sensors, he's quick to show his affection when you pet and coddle him.

D-Rex is $149.99 from Amazon (though I've seen him cheaper at several offline retailers), and you can ensure delivery by Dec. 24 when you select FREE Super Saver Shipping at checkout.

Robot Chest of Drawers is Truly (Wait for It...)

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:30:00 GMT

Out of this world! Seriously, though, if I were a robot-crazed kid (and spoke French), I'd be all over Mom and Dad to order this one for my room.

Commode robot rouge avec tablette (€89, or around $112 U.S.) from Robopolis.

Perfect for Phys-Ed: New Balance Light-Up Robot Shoes

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:51:00 GMT

Ever had the great kids’ sneaker debate? Once your toddler transforms into a kid, you begin to wonder whether you should spend your shoe budget on character-covered cheapies from your discount store of choice or buy “real” sneakers. The cheapies are obviously cheaper, but the tread and seams wear out quickly. Then again, if your kid grows out of them, it doesn’t sting as much as when you spring for some supportive sneakers. And as any kid will tell you, real sneakers are boring.

New Balance Kids may be able to compete with these robot-adorned kicks because pretty much all kids love robots, even if it’s not WALL-E. With a push of the button on the robot’s chest, the shoes’ heels and sides light up. On the practical side of things, the pair closes with a hook-and-loop to buy some time for kindergartners who haven’t mastered the art of tying yet.

Available in toddler sizes 10.5-12 and youth sizes 12.5-3 at Zappos.com for $56.

acmeFACTORY's Robot Monkey Groove

elizabeth leach — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Boys love robots. (I'm not saying that girls don't. Maybe they do.) My nephew is obsessed with them and he'll go nuts over acmeFACTORY's new line of clothes featuring these adorable robots. (Some t-shirts also have monkeys which is an added bonus.) The above toddler t-shirt is titled "Robot Monkey Groove" and is $19.99.

There are onesies for our robot loving babies, too. Check out acmeFACTORY.

Disney's WALL-E Robot to Break Fourth Wall This Summer

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:03:00 GMT

The dialogue-light, visual-rich CGI robot flick WALL-E is still a few months off from hitting theaters (trailer here), and by the time it arrives, you may be able to take home your own real-life version of the animated droid. At a suggested retail price of $189.99, Ultimate WALL-E will cost a tad more than movie tickets and a round of snacks for the family, but factor in his sensors, remote control and environmental-response capabilities, and the little guy'll surely deliver more bang for your buck. The robot marks a first-time partnership between Disney and WowWee, whose robotic pandas and quadrapeds we've drooled over previously. [Gearlog via Gizmodo]

T-Shirts for Boys from Monster Republic

Chris Ford — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:43:00 GMT

I'm lucky enough to be the father of daughters, and while they are beautiful girls, as a dad I don't get to dress them up in badass t-shirts. (Not because they aren't badass chicks, because they are, but because they prefer pink). So for all the parents of boys, check out these t-shirts by Monster Republic.

My favorite is the Kung Fu Master Tee (pictured), but there are lots of others (like robots and Mexican wrestlers) too. The Kung Fu Master shirt even has a couple of badass tigers on the back of it. Sweet.

Monster Republic T-Shirts, $42 to $46 each from Black Wagon.

First Look: KOTA the Life-Sized Triceratops

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:04:00 GMT

In what appears to be the ultimate middle finger to Pleo, Playskool is rolling out a life-sized animatronic dinosaur this fall: Over 40 inches long from head to tail, KOTA the Triceratops has 11 sensors throughout his frame that enable him to react to touch and sound, as well as a spring-loaded seat on which kids can ride.

Unlike, presumably, a real triceratops, KOTA also has a built-in ambient soundtrack: In addition to its basic grunts and growls, it plays jungle sounds when you ride and adventure-themed songs when you flick a switch on its handle. And when it gets hungry, kids can "feed" KOTA with pretend greens -- which, unlike the six "D" batteries that are required to make it work, are included.

Cranium's Talkin' T-Rex a Roaring, Spinning R/C Pal for Preschoolers

Aaron Burgess — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 21:02:00 GMT

Although some manufacturers would rather you spent hundreds to find out the hard way, not every 3-year-old is ready for a high-end interactive robot. At $29.99, Cranium's Talkin' T-Rex is as bare-bones as these things get -- which is to say, it's just the right speed for preschoolers who are jockeying for some of big brother or sister's animatronic action. T-Rex spins around or zips around the floor (it's not too great on carpets, however), and you can speak into the remote control's microphone to make it talk, sing, roar or just be silly. Four AA batteries are included; you'll need to buy a 9-volt to make it work, however.

Big Deal: Talking Robot Bank from Bits and Pieces

Mir — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:04:00 GMT

All your coins are belong to us.

Teach junior the value of saving while appealing to his sci-fi sensibilities: This action robot bank has a motion sensor to detect when it's being approached, at which point it will light up, flail its arms, and "talk to you about your savings." And as if that wasn't exciting enough, he's normally $39.99, but right now he's marked down to $29.99 at Bits and Pieces. (I wonder if he says, "You paid how much for me?")

Wall Art: Petitcollage

Meredith Broussard — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:01:00 GMT

Ma chere Petitcollage: j'aime beaucoup your exquisite limited-edition collages cut by hand from vintage wallpaper and such. I like to imagine your designer traveling around the world and collecting exotic scraps of vintage paper. You say that in your collages I may find a 1950s Japanese architectural drawing next to a school map from Costa Rica? I think that is nifty. I like the way you fuse midcentury design, retro illustration, and rich, child-friendly colors. Your mommy-and-baby animal collages make me happy when I look at them. Especially the giraffes.

Petitcollage, if I were to spring for your limited-edition artwork at the entirely-reasonable rate of $140, I would certainly choose to get it personalized with my child's name. I will buy almost anything that I can personalize with my child's name. But his name in vintage wallpaper? That's just freakin' cool.

Schylling Stacks Up Wooden Robots

Mir — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:03:00 GMT

Sure, you could buy a set of wooden blocks... but they wouldn't be nearly as much fun as these multicolored wooden robots by Schylling. Stack 'em to practice building and balance, or just buy a few sets and start your own tiny robot army.

$14.79 for a set of 9 from Playthings Past.