"Rovio robot is smart enough to give the Mars Rovers a run for their money" - Dr. Pirjanian, former NASA scientist.
Possibly the most exciting member of WowWee's 2008 new product line, the Rovio is a mobile robotic web camera with omnidirectional movement ability thanks to its unique tri-wheel design. The most exciting feature of Rovio is that it incorporates the incredible Northstar technology. Northstar is a system that creates a microi-GPS system for your home, allowing the Rovio to navigate your home with pinpoint accuracy. With Northstar Rovio always knows exactly where it is and where you want it to go next.
The built-in web camera has full audio and video streaming capability so you can spy on your home from anywhere in the world you have a Web connection and uses the reliable 802.11b/g protocols for true WiFi access. Check in to see if you home is secure, or to get a comforting look at pets, or to dynamically web conference with family members or colleagues at work. Rovio's neck-mounted camera and microphone can be accessed over the web from cell phones, personal computers, or even some video game consoles (if they are web enabled). Use your personal computer to create navigation routes for Rovio by marking way points in your home with its easy to understand companion software. Simply mark a way point and Rovio will move to the desired location without any need for you to micromanage the navigation; just point and click! Since Rovio has self-docking capabilities, you can send it back to base for a recharge with a single touch of a web browser button.
[UPDATE] - Evolution Robotics, the wizards behind the Northstar navigation technology behind Rovio, has created some videos to show you just how easy it is to set up patrol routes with Rovio. Click here to watch these videos now.
Features
You can use simple “go-to” commands to assign easy to understand labels to important places in your home or office, then tell the robot to go there with a single click of your browser. You can do this remotely from anywhere you have a web connection or from a mobile phone. For example, “go to the kitchen”.
Rovio can patrol your house using predetermined routes you set up with easy-to-use software based on a simple point and click interface. Set up routes to make sure the the pets have been fed and are staying out of trouble, monitor potential entry points for intrusion, or check to see if certain appliances have been turned off or not.
With the help of its micro-GPS system, if a child or pet knocks the Rovio off course, it immediately rights itself and continues on its predetermined route; a big plus when you are remotely monitoring it and can’t be there to pick it up.
It can effortlessly find its charging station when its batteries start to run low, from anywhere in your home, and dock with the station with pinpoint accuracy.
PC compatible computer with at least a Pentium 3 processor running the Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system
At least 256 MB of RAM
USB connection
WAP (Wireless Access Point) device connected to your PC such as a wireless router
High Speed Web connection using Internet Explorer 6 or better (required for the bidirectional audio feature)
Battery Requirements
(Recharge Base)
Estimated Release Date
Early Fall of 2008
Suggested Retail Price
$299
Rovio Pictures Gallery - Photos courtesy of WowWee Group Limited
Click on a photo to see it full size
Rovio Videos
Excellent demonstration video that shows the pinpoint accuracy of Evolution Robotic’s Northstar technology, including a demo of how the easily the Rovio recovers from a disruption in its path.
Benjanmin Chertoff from the Switched Show gives a good overview of the Rovio and its features. Nice close-ups of the sleek looking reconnaissance robot.
Part I of an in-depth look at the software and procedures required to create paths with Rovio.
Part II of an in-depth look at the software and procedures required to create paths with Rovio. Shows just how amazingly easy it is to set up patrol routes for your home.
Where To Buy
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