Lee’s Journal

Christmas is on the way and ThinkGeek has a special desktop decoration for you. It’s the USB Snowbot that boasts a scanning LED robotic eye with user changeable colors, authentic Snowbot sounds and rotating, articulating metal arms.

Powered by a simple USB port, the Snowbot has a scanning light just like the robots from the future. You can change the speed of the scan, turn on/off the scanning noise, and (for future protection) change the scan color (red or blue). So no matter which robot army storms your home or office, a quick flick of a switch and you are rooting for the invader’s color. Hopefully then the robots will just make you a servant and not an appetizer.

Watch the USB Snowbot in action after this jump.

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Bandai NetTansor is a tiny robot with integrated Wi-Fi connection, so you can remotely control the robot. It also has a webcam that lets you to see where it goes; three sensors (Sensor Monitor) so that it won’t crash into things and 2.5 hours of battery life.

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Chinese scientists have invented AICookingrobot, a robot that can cook thousands of Chinese dishes, including Sichuan, Shandong and canton cuisines.

Developed by Fanxing Science and Technology Co Ltd in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, the robot can fry, bake, boil, steam and more.

The company spent more than 2 million yuan (about $250,000) to develop the robot within four years of time.

The AICookingrobot will go on sale in 2007.

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Pleo is the descendent of Furby. Basically, the robotic toy is a one-week old infant Camarasaurus from the Jurassic period.

Pleo is just like your real pet that needs your care and love. Pleo is equipped with senses for sight, sound and touch. He learns as he explores his environment. He can feel joy and sorrow, anger and annoyance. Pleo will become drowsy and go to sleep when he’s tired. Pleo can also recognize other Pleos!

Every Pleo has unique personality that will evolve, change and grow with its built-in DNA programming. You can also purchase personality modules that can be installed via SD card or USB connection. It will be available around Christmas time for around $200.

Watch the Pleo demonstration video after this jump.
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Miuro is the new Japanese iPod robot. It plays music, either from its on-board iPod or streaming from your PC and will follow you around the house. The best part is that it even can dance by rolling backwards and forwards excitedly.

Not much information about Miuro, but rumor has it that it costs around $900 and will be available within next year, not only in Japan, but all over the world.

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