Feb 1 2011
Desk Pets International will be displaying its TankBot at the Toy Fair, which will be held in New York between February 13 and 16. The device is a micro robotic toy that can be remotely controlled through an Apple iPhone, iPod touch screen or iPad.
Desk Pets
The device has three modes, which help the robot to find its way through a maze and walk around. A USB charger provides the power needed, so that a battery is not needed to operate the toy. It can play around for about 15 minutes on being charged for half an hour. It can be linked to the iPhone by a dongle on its side. It can move in various directions by tilting the handset.
It can move on its own, avoiding objects in its path, and respond to hand gestures. Responding to gestures is made possible by the IR sensors that operate when the device is turned to the autonomous mode. When turned to the free roaming mode, the toy emits tank noises. Offered in shades of orange, green, blue and black, the device is fitted with frequency that allows multi-player tasks such as racing or fighting.