Atlanta-based start-up Tovbot combined technology’s hottest trends—cloud computing, omnipresent networks and advanced smartphones—with robotics know-how from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions to create Shimi, a robotic musical companion.

Shimi is essentially an interactive smart phone dock. Harnessing the sensing and app technology of an Android smartphone, Shimi dances along with the beat as he plays your music, recommends tracks and has the ability to create his own musical compositions.

The musical buddy exhibits uniquely human qualities thanks to Android’s facial and speech detecting algorithms. The robot can even follow a listener around the room and position its…

About the author

Casey Nobile

Casey Nobile is the lead editor for Robotics Business Review’s RBR50 news, editorial and business segment. She is also contributing writer and editor for the publication’s News & Technology columns with special emphasis on breaking news coverage for science, technology and financial transactions. Casey is also editor and contributor for other in-house publications: Robotics Trends; RoboBusiness and RoboBusiness exhibit services.