Originally published January 22 2006
Robotic pets becoming smarter, more complex
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Among the newest and most advanced robo-pets are the Roboraptor, which can be programmed to be "cautious, playful or aggressive," the remote-controlled Robopet, an interactive R2-D2, a dog version of the Furby and the musical iZ alien robot.
In a decade or two, pets will consume nothing more than batteries, sit when you ask them to and once you get sick of them, into the bin they can go.
The price -- about $2000 -- is more than most parents are willing to pay, but there are many cheaper, but less capable, alternatives.
Compared to the spark-spitting tin robots of a generation ago, these toys are technological marvels, loaded with voice-recognition software, studded with proximity sensors and with an amazing range of movement.
The looks and roar of this 2.5-foot long toy dinosaur are sure to make it the centre of attention on Christmas Day.
The Roboraptor can be controlled with the remote or put in "free roam" mode to patrol the living room, avoiding objects with its sensors.
It reacts to loud sounds and touch, and can be programmed to be "cautious, playful or aggressive", although it sometimes takes a palaeontologist to tell the difference between them.
The Roboraptor's pint-sized cousin, the remote controlled Robopet, doesn't look much like a canine and doesn't have the dinosaur's presence, but is less likely to scare.
It's controlled through an easy-to-use remote, and does the full repertoire of disgusting doggy things, like scratching, begging, breaking wind and cocking its leg.
Like the Roboraptor, it can tell where objects and edges of tables are, so won't get hurt while it's wandering unless attacked by a vicious droid (see R2-D2).
Requires seven AAA batteries for the robot and controller.
It's meant to react to spoken commands but the voice interface must have been designed for whatever language they speak on Naboo.
R2 was more than a match for Robopet and Roboraptor in a race or a pushing contest.
The Furby has the best voice interface of the toys we tested.
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