Personal And Consumer Robotics
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Creepy Not the Path to Commercialization Some observers described the Telenoid R1 communication robot as looking like a ghost. They were being charitable. Very charitable. |
Bossa Nova Innovates Its Way to Success
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Posted Jul 20, 2010; Article type: Industry analysis
The company has leveraged work on the RHex research platform to develop the Penbo and Prime-8 robotic smart toys, positioning it to enter the personal robotics market.
The company has leveraged work on the RHex research platform to develop the Penbo and Prime-8 robotic smart toys, positioning it to enter the personal robotics market.
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Does Robotics Increase STEM Interest? 
Posted Mar 31, 2010; Article type: Industry update
Anecdotally, robotics does increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but a new $3.5 million study should provide more definitive answers.
Anecdotally, robotics does increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but a new $3.5 million study should provide more definitive answers.
Robotic Smart Toys Require an Online Presence
Posted Feb 8, 2010; Article type: Industry update
Extending robotic smart toys from the physical world to the virtual world of the Web increases their play value and chances for success in the marketplace.
Extending robotic smart toys from the physical world to the virtual world of the Web increases their play value and chances for success in the marketplace.
Industry Alerted to Security and Privacy Gaps in Consumer Robots
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Posted Jan 8, 2010; Article type: Industry analysis
Researchers document functional weaknesses in household robots and provide guidance for creating secure and privacy-respecting bots going forward.
Researchers document functional weaknesses in household robots and provide guidance for creating secure and privacy-respecting bots going forward.
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No Guarantee for Bossa Nova’s Latest Entries in the Toy Market
Posted Dec 22, 2009; Article type: Industry update
Priced to sell and boasting functionality gleaned from years of research and commercialization efforts, Bossa Nova Robotics’ latest robotic toys seem destined for success. But in the cutthroat toy industry, features and pricing are not enough. It also takes luck and long-term play value.
Priced to sell and boasting functionality gleaned from years of research and commercialization efforts, Bossa Nova Robotics’ latest robotic toys seem destined for success. But in the cutthroat toy industry, features and pricing are not enough. It also takes luck and long-term play value.
Pleo Will Rise Again: Contract Manufacturer Buys Ugobe IP, Gives Robot Dinosaur Reprieve
Posted Jul 2, 2009; Article type: Industry update
Robot toy maker Ugobe, Inc. declared bankruptcy earlier this year, but the critically praised, ultra-sophisticated Pleo dinosaur it created will be sold again, once the contract manufacturer that built it finishes digesting the intellectual property it bought at Ugobe’s bankruptcy auction sale in May.
Robot toy maker Ugobe, Inc. declared bankruptcy earlier this year, but the critically praised, ultra-sophisticated Pleo dinosaur it created will be sold again, once the contract manufacturer that built it finishes digesting the intellectual property it bought at Ugobe’s bankruptcy auction sale in May.
Robot Soccer League Will Suffer, As Maker of Nifty Plen Goes Bankrupt
Posted Apr 13, 2009; Article type: Industry update
The most successful individual member of the Japanese robot soccer team has left the pitch, with the bankruptcy of Plen manufacturer Systec Akazawa; the Japanese company’s woes came not from robotics, but from a declining economy and drop in demand for the aircraft parts that made up the bulk of its business.
The most successful individual member of the Japanese robot soccer team has left the pitch, with the bankruptcy of Plen manufacturer Systec Akazawa; the Japanese company’s woes came not from robotics, but from a declining economy and drop in demand for the aircraft parts that made up the bulk of its business.
Will a High Price Tag Kill Ugobe’s Pleo?
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Posted Apr 13, 2009; Article type: Industry analysis
The Pleo robotic toy dinosaur drew universal acclaim when introduced in 2006, but has so far failed to make its manufacturer successful, largely because of the $349 price tag. Ugobe, which developed the “staggeringly lifelike” dinosaur has cut its workforce by half and moved to less-costly quarters. Its founders believe Pleo and its list price will survive once they can explain its potential; RBR isn’t so sure.
The Pleo robotic toy dinosaur drew universal acclaim when introduced in 2006, but has so far failed to make its manufacturer successful, largely because of the $349 price tag. Ugobe, which developed the “staggeringly lifelike” dinosaur has cut its workforce by half and moved to less-costly quarters. Its founders believe Pleo and its list price will survive once they can explain its potential; RBR isn’t so sure.
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How Did Evolution Robotics Pull In $14 Million in Series B?
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Posted Feb 12, 2009; Article type: Industry analysis
The second round of funding of Evolution Robotics by Idealab, Vodafone Ventures and Quercus Trust was good news for companies seeking investment through VC channels, but particularly for robotics firms where most VC funding up until this time has been largely limited to the field of healthcare robotics. However, it seems that ‘robotics technology’, and not ‘robotics’, was the basis of the series B outlay.
The second round of funding of Evolution Robotics by Idealab, Vodafone Ventures and Quercus Trust was good news for companies seeking investment through VC channels, but particularly for robotics firms where most VC funding up until this time has been largely limited to the field of healthcare robotics. However, it seems that ‘robotics technology’, and not ‘robotics’, was the basis of the series B outlay.
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