i-Sobot Robot Toy Review
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Awhile back, I had a toy robot that I never even took out of the box. It was huge, and took like 75 D batteries to operate. The great people over at ThinkGeek sent me one of their new i-SOBOTs to play with. This thing is definitely addictive… and now will be a regular part of my show.
The i-SOBOT robot is just amazing and fun. The I-SOBOT is the big brother of the Omnibot robot you may remember from the 80’s. Frankly there isn’t much of a family resemblance. With 17 servo motors and amazing lifelike movement the i-SOBOT is more like a mini version of some futuristic robotic race destined to be our masters. The i-SOBOT can be directly controlled via the included remote to walk and perform dozens of complex motions. He can balance on one leg, do a handstand and get up from almost any position. String commands together to record more complex performances, or you can use the “Special Action Mode” to be wowed by one of i-SOBOTS intricate built in motion routines. i-SOBOT can also understand 10 different voice commands and speaks using over 200 words and phrases.
i-Sobot has Four operation Modes
- Remote Control Mode Movements can be controlled directly using joy sticks and command buttons. He can also perform hundreds of amazing pre-programmed actions using short button codes.
- Programming Mode Program a sequence of up to 80 actions, then easily play the sequence back with the push of a button.
- Special Action Mode Command i-SOBOT to play air guitar, impersonate a movie character, or perform any of 18 pre-programmed special actions.
- Voice Command Mode i-SOBOT recognizes 10 voice commands, reacting with dozens of appropriate but unpredictable actions.
As far as just playing with this robot, I give it an A+. The only downside I’ve seen so far is the fact that in order to install the batteries, you must have a precision screwdriver. If you don’t happen to have one, you’re…. well… precisionally screwdrivered. So for that fact, I give the setting-up of the i-SOBOT a B. Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:
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43 Comments
BobWireless
December 22nd, 2007
at 6:23pm
Hey Chris:
Just wanted to say thank you for the community server you provide with these YouTube productions. Always a pleasure watching and keep up the good work. 20k YouTube Subscribers, good start.
Peace, Love and Joy
BobWireless
iridis
December 22nd, 2007
at 10:01pm
Well, the difference is that it can’t store music or video files, and you can’t change it’s personality, stuff like that.
kdp1954
December 22nd, 2007
at 10:08pm
LIKE YOUR ROBOT HOW MUCH WAS IT
RobotsAreHereNow
December 23rd, 2007
at 1:11am
really good for the price,better if your a student in robotics.
RandomGuyNo3
December 23rd, 2007
at 1:20am
that looks so cool but i would want it to be bigger, i still want one tho
Sweetongeeks
December 23rd, 2007
at 2:52am
I’m posting this on my news of the geek.
Excellent review.
andre3000foo
December 23rd, 2007
at 4:22am
IT WAS $249.99 WITHOUT THE CAPS.
macflyfilm
December 23rd, 2007
at 7:43am
Well worth the money.
techguy348
December 23rd, 2007
at 7:58am
or it is avaiable at your Sharper Image retailer.
WillThePlank
December 23rd, 2007
at 9:02am
i need to stop smoking this shit *throws joint out window*
Aliens_300c
December 23rd, 2007
at 2:07am
This is a pretty nifty little gadget, Although the price is a bit steep for a toy (imho) I’m just wondering if It is updateable, Does it have a connection to the pc and will they be adding new commands to the software? The way it moved out from under your desk (the first time you were playing with it) was impressive. I was also wondering what the range was like on the controller? At any rate, If you have the money to spend on this tech toy..Do it! one of the coolest robots I’ve seen, And its also compact & has kung fu grip!
Arcon
December 23rd, 2007
at 2:12am
Yesterday you had him out again, twas funny… Maybe i should pick one up….
Michael Rivera (mrivera1)
December 23rd, 2007
at 2:27am
I’ve always loved robots. I think that they are indeed the future of computing, as in implementing it into our daily tasks and such. Robots are cool, especially these little toy robots that I love to play with when I have the chance. These are so cool, and I can only imagine what will be in store for the future.
Greg(g_dog1985__)
December 23rd, 2007
at 6:13am
hi chris
what i think of the robot
it good for kids between 8-10 olds
they need to do some more work to it so more fun
greg
Robert Oschler
December 23rd, 2007
at 6:48am
Hello Chris,
I enjoyed your i-SOBOT review. You might be interested in Robodance version 4, due to be released this week. It’s a free Windows PC software program that gives you the ability to control your i-SOBOT robot (and many of WowWee’s robots) using the Nintendo WiiMote, your voice (147 commands not just the i-SOBOT’s preprogrammed 10), and create advanced sharable scripts For the i-SOBOT, the WiiMote support includes gesture recognition so you can control your i-SOBOT’s 35 combat moves using easy to remember arm gestures (Punches, Kicks, Guards). You can find out more here:
http://www.robodance.com/nintendo-wii-i-sobot.php
Thanks,
Robert
geetaryounggun
December 23rd, 2007
at 9:12am
Wow! Technology
I remember when I was about 8 seeing those type of robots of TV and wanting one. Cool vid.
kteck
December 23rd, 2007
at 2:07pm
Now thats one cool robot.. if only you could program in custom routines via a windows program. Now that would make it cool :)
RickyTomatoes
December 24th, 2007
at 3:22am
They need to come out with an affordable robot that lets you program your own movements and store audio.
jordancl
December 24th, 2007
at 12:23am
I saw where you had it out playing with it there yesterday and I must say it is pretty awesome. I think its cool what robots can do, and I will be alright with it just as long as they don’t get too smart.
NASTY138
December 24th, 2007
at 11:49am
CAPS PWNED
DrWho
December 24th, 2007
at 3:07pm
LOL, Robot Chicken =) nice joke
I just love the Robot Chicken Show
liekd00d
December 25th, 2007
at 1:22am
Yea, the one he’s talking about with the 75 D’s to opperate, it’s most likely the robosapien. The robosaien is a shit bag.
Whydidipickthisname
December 25th, 2007
at 11:12am
CAPS SUPER PWNED!!
wCurtis
December 25th, 2007
at 3:48pm
Technology is sure advancing but do you know how much it cost.
Kat
December 25th, 2007
at 8:28pm
This thing is AWESOME! I have been looking for something different to give my daughter for her birthday… and I think I just found it!
podcastbard
December 26th, 2007
at 4:01am
Does he have a you tube host mode?
Cameron Black (CamBlack)
December 26th, 2007
at 3:41pm
I was watching when you got this out. It was fun to watch and see the different things that the cool robot could do
TenaciousJ728
December 26th, 2007
at 9:52pm
I love this robot! It’s as awesome as Dalek!
DJ Smith
December 26th, 2007
at 10:23pm
Hey Chris I think you should contact the company here in Boise who makes Pleo the robotic dinosaur. It’s made by UGobe and its pretty darn cool. Maybe you can talk them into sending you one for a giveway.
Thanks,
DJ
Boise, ID
Klever
December 26th, 2007
at 11:17pm
I saw this and I thought it was cool, I like the Idea of the “programming mode” I wish I had one of these, I could spend hours and hours with this thing.
kdp1954
December 31st, 2007
at 1:12pm
happy new year
NATEMAN360
January 2nd, 2008
at 9:55am
do you speak into the remote for verbal commands, or to him ?? thanks in advance
jeremyc561
January 9th, 2008
at 6:08pm
does he have any sensors other than sound,
and can he roam around on his own?
leodime
January 31st, 2008
at 2:25pm
Cool. Now let’s see him crank dat soulja boy.
leodime
January 31st, 2008
at 7:12pm
Chris. how dare you compare the i-Sobot to the Robosapien? The original Robosapien IS very big and ugly, but the new ones like the Robosapien v2 and Robosapien RS Media are much better looking. And the Robosapien is intended to be a humanoid robot while the i-Sobot is intended to be… a robot. I’m sorry, but that i-Sobot is very unsightly.
crocopskick
February 9th, 2008
at 4:52pm
looks like it has more functions than the rs media though can it flip? HA
crocopskick
February 9th, 2008
at 4:54pm
I want the robots in the beck video there some sony make I think those are sweet
Scamslayer
February 18th, 2008
at 12:33pm
Your talking about the I-Robot huh? I have one of those, it’s fun ^_^!
I-Sobot looks like a little more advanced version of I-Robot though.
monnie110
February 24th, 2008
at 8:52pm
That wasn’t really a review as it didn’t go thru pros and cons except to pick at the fact that it uses a precision screwdriver to open the battery compartment as if it is tough to get the tool which is really no big deal. Lots of toys use compartments like that because half of time the normal ones get lost especially on remotes.
I’m trying to find a review that actually comments on the programing ability and scripting.
JMan3451
February 25th, 2008
at 4:46pm
That’s an awesome robot but u might wanna look at the roboquad because its a pretty cool robot too. Its famous from the robot vs puppy video on youtube.
The website is http://www.roboquadonline.com/
That’s the only robot I’ve seen that could stand up against that i-Sobot Robot.
sesarathor
April 11th, 2008
at 12:18pm
You should have replaced all the He and He’s with I and I’m. It would have made the review better
sesarathor
April 12th, 2008
at 12:23pm
Is that a joke, though the first robosapien is crap and really isnt even a robot. It is mutch better looking than the v2 or rs.
isobot
October 24th, 2008
at 7:09am
The isobot really is a brilliant little thing. This is my ‘I want it’ robot for 2008/9