View Slideshow

November 2011 Notable Toys — Robotics

By TDmonthly Staff

Wow Stuff My Keepon Interactive Dancing Robot
From: CHINA INDUSTRIES LTD

Other products from CHINA INDUSTRIES LTD

Add to Inquiry Basket (?)

Shop for It!

Age Range: 6 to 11
Specialty: No
Gender: Boys And Girls

Category:

Robotics
Interactive
Electronics

The Wow! Stuff My Keepon is the dancing robot that moves to any music. The tiny microphone in My Keepons nose allows him to hear the music kids play or even the rhythms they make themselves. My Keepon listens for the tempo of the music and matches the beat with an uncanny sense of timing. My Keepon can dance to any style of music, from slow ballads to pop music. Each performance is an original and unique interpretation. With an array of touch sensors underneath his playful textured skin, My Keepon responds to poking, patting, squeezing or tickling by looking around, showing his mood and making expressive sounds. As soon as My Keepon wakes up, he wants to play and will try to attract attention. My Keepon sits on top of his very own performance stage, which contains most of the robotic mechanism, so My Keepon himself can be soft and squishy to touch. Launch date: October 2011.
— As of 10/18/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on ToysRUs.com.

With real-as-can-be movements, sounds and actions, COOKIE MY PLAYFUL PUP lets kids experience the joy of having a puppy of their very own. When kids pet her on her head or back, she barks, moves her head and wags her tail. Give her cheek a little scratch and she'll turn toward their hand to ask for more. When they tell her just how sweet she is, she'll respond with puppy babble that sounds just like she's talking. She loves her squeaky toy — when kids make it squeak, she'll turn her head toward the sound. When kids put her toy bone in her mouth, she'll make crunching sounds like she's chewing it. This pup is about 14 inches tall and can either sit up or lie down.
— As of 10/18/2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Walmart.com. Pros: Realistic; fun; entertaining. Cons: Dog doesn't "walk" so many reviewers reported their kids lost interest after a couple days; batteries run out quickly.

The HEXBUG® Larva is a micro robotic creature that slithers forward on smooth surfaces using a slow, rhythmic flexing motion. Just like real larvae, each of these creepy crawlers reacts to its environment, instinctively changing direction upon sensing an object in its path and wriggling off to explore a clear, undisturbed path ahead. Its behavior is eerily mesmerizing to watch and interact with. The HEXBUG Larva is CPSIA approved for kids ages 8 and up. The HEXBUG Larva features a forward facing infrared sensor that allows it to detect fellow squirming larvae and other objects in its path. When the HEXBUG Larva encounters a road block, it spins around on two micro robotic wheels hidden beneath its hard exterior shell and heads off in a new direction. Three button cell batteries are included. Available in various translucent colors including Red, Green, Indigo, Orange and Black. Launch date: mid-August 2011.