WowWee unveiled its latest invention at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show: The MiP (Mobile Inverted Pendulum) is a $100 toy-sized robot that can be programmed to do pretty much anything. It can be controlled via hand gestures of with the free smartphone app.
In its default mode, MiP responds to claps and other hand gestures. Users can rotate one of its wheels to enter other modes, including a Boxing mode that makes MiP throw punches and a Sleep mode that makes MiP fall backwards.
There’s also a track setting that tells MiP to follow the movements of your hand; swipe right and it’ll turn right, move your hand up and MiP drives forward. Put the robot in Roam mode and it will move around freely while intelligently avoiding obstacles. MiP also supports some simplistic games and will balance objects ranging from soda cans to other MiPs on an included plastic tray.
MiP stands roughly 7-inches tall and has no feet. The base instead features two large wheels. The torso includes a mode light and two poseable arms.
It features Segway-style balancing that was built in association with the Coordinated Robotics Lab at the University of California, San Diego. WowWee says it’s the first of a number of projects the two teams have been working on, with more to come in 2014.
MiP will be available only at Best Buy beginning May 2014.