Roboraptor
Roboraptor is a robotic toy invented by Mark Tilden and distributed by Wow Wee Toys International. It is the successor to the RoboSapien robot and uses motion technology based on realistic biomechanics that give it fluid and natural movements. It has a multi-function remote control that uses infrared technology to talk to it. Unlike the original RoboSapien, the Roboraptor is capable of autonomous movement, using 3 realistic gaits.
Sensors
Roboraptor comes with several sensors that allow it to monitor and interact with its environment. It has infrared and stereo sound sensors on its head, and touch sensors on its chin, tail, and mouth.
the stereo sound sensors allow the RoboRaptor to locate sources of sound and react to them. if you clap once when in hunting mode, it will turn it's head towards the sound. clap again, it will tunr it's body to the source of the sound. clap a third time, and it will stalk towards the sound, head low and in a hunting position.
the infrared sensors allow for basic awareness of the area around the RoboRaptor and the objects near it. when in free roam mode, it uses these sensors to avoid walls and objects, and will back off if it sees it is about to crash into something.
Autonomous behaviors
It has four different modes of behavior or moods: hunting, cautious, playful, and free-roam. In hunting mode, it will react to sharp sounds and progressively focus its attention more intensely on repeated sounds coming from the same direction. In cautious mode, it will react oppositely and move away from sounds it hears. In playful mode, it will react to sounds in a more whimsical fashion but neither approaching nor avoiding them. In free-roam mode, it will explore its environment, avoiding obstacles and stopping occasionally to listen for loud sounds to investigate. The Raptor does not walk well on thick pile carpet and cannot be programmed.
Flexible behaviors
When one touches one of Roboraptor's touch sensors, its reaction will vary depending on its mood. Touching its face when it is hunting will make it react angrily and most likely attempt to "attack" the person touching it. But if it is feeling playful, it will nuzzle the person's hand and then "attack", using its jaws.
Laser targeting
Early versions of the Roboraptor could also follow a laser-like target painted on the ground. This could be used this to lead it around a room under direct control. However, this feature was removed from some later units.
Mini Roboraptor
There is also a smaller version of Roboraptor available. However, it does not have a remote control or different modes of behavior. It is not an autonomous robot so much as it is a wind-up toy, though the smaller version does actually run on batteries. It's a smaller, cheaper, less functional Roboraptor. It walks at a single pace, but it does not have any sensors.
Fluid body movements
Several sets of motors allow complete flud movement of every individual part of it's body. The tail will sway from side to side, and can also whip suddenly, the neck is on a rotational mechanism which is very realistic on it's movements, and the legs allow for several actions to be performed: it can walk, run, and stalk slowly (depending on how many times you pres the forward button on the remote) it can turn, and when in hunting mode can also lean back then pounce forward to attack its prey. As you can see here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=x1o4_7SwZvc the RoboRaptor can get up to quite a speed.
External links
- Roboraptor at Wow Wee
- RoboCommunity - The official WowWee Robotics user community
- Evolution of the Roboraptor