Rovio: WiFi enabled surveillance robot by WoWee
Posted on: January 05, 2008
[CES 2008] Wowee is unveiling its new WiFi enabled robotic webcam that can be controlled remotely using any Internet enabled device: mobile phone, PC or video game console. Users can explore their home or office remotely through the Rovio’s built-in camera that streams video and audio transmitted via the robot. Featuring the NorthStar® smart navigation and positioning system, the Rovio navigates accurately by itself and is able to avoid the obstacles on its way. Hopefully, we will see a live demo on the show floor at CES.
Specifications- Built-in rechargeable battery
- 1 recharge base
- 3 wheel motors
- 3 omni directional wheels
- 1 camera motor
- 1 VGA CMOS sensor
- LED illumination (helps to navigate in the dark)
- 1 speaker
- USB connectivity
- WiFi connectivity (802.11b and g)
Reader Comments
By Joe , 22/01/08 9:11 AM (CommentID #442046)
Nobody made any claim that the Wow Wee *toy* company didn't sell toys.
However, THIS particular robot has some promise. If it's really running NorthStar for navigation, it might actually be useful, assuming its sensors can detect obstacles half-reliably. NorthStar is awesome, and buying a system for your own custom robot would cost several thousand dollars. It should know its position and orientation in your house to within a few centimeters, which is pretty sweet.
By John , 17/01/08 3:53 PM (CommentID #434765)
This company and its robots are kids toys and not worth the price.
By R , 11/01/08 11:13 AM (CommentID #426217)
Before posting links, authors should maybe check what they are writing. This author is sending readers to a knockoff site (wowee.com) instead of to wowwee.com. Another example of poor journalism. What else is inaccurate in this article?
By robotech , 07/01/08 10:19 AM (CommentID #420829)
This is not a novel design. A rover like this has been selling on ebay for months now. Search robot rover, or go to lebeaux.biz
By Mike , 07/01/08 2:05 AM (CommentID #420290)
Please check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=iexOHSdXa7Q to see a sample of what Rovio can do.
By Hubert , 05/01/08 10:19 PM (CommentID #418890)
If it can recharge itself, at all...
By soontekk , 05/01/08 5:05 PM (CommentID #418634)
Looks quite cool and it seems to have the functionality. Definately going to look into it.
I wonder about battery life though as my wowee roboquad litteraly 'eats' batteries. No use to have a surveilance robot if it has to go reload all the time.
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