RoboSapien Announce

Mark W. Tilden
Robotics Physicist

BEAM robotics is entering the humanoid race with its own 14-inch high, slightly-more-affordable walking machine. It'll retail for about $80, has 67 built in functions, speaks international "caveman", reconfigurable touch and sound reflexes, and features nested programming functions.


The "RoboSapien" (from WowWee Toys) uses resonant non-linear dynamics instead of the usual "Zero Force Point" Honda walking paradigm. Though the product is digital, it's based on "nervous network" analog technologies featured in a variety of marketed science, education, and robotic products.
Main features are no computer required, easy for kids, advanced enough for adults, over 6 hours runtime from regular batteries, and it's fast.
http://www.wowwee.com/
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/article/0,12543,473095,00.html PopSci Art.
http://www.androidworld.com/prod02.htm A nice picture at AndroidWorld
http://www.allnerdreview.com/TOYFAIR/2003/TF2003WOW.html A detailed review of the humanoid and other 2003 Wow Wee products.