• Robot maker Vstone rolls out three mini humanoids

    Thursday, January 7th, 2010

    Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

    robovie_x

    We just recently visited Japanese robot maker Vstone‘s flagship store in Akihabara for a detailed photo report. The company has now announced three mini humanoids, which are all part of their famous “Robovie” series of two-legged robots. Buyers can choose between a new Robovie-X model and two versions of Robovie-nano. Vstone is offering the three robots not as kits but as finished products.

    The original version of Robovie-X was released back in February 2008, and Vstone sold a number of variations of X since. This version (“Robovie-X Complete Set”) stands 18cm tall, weighs 1.3kg and features a total of 17 joints in its body. Buyers can control the little guy (pictured on top) with a wireless remote control.

    robovie_nano

    As the name suggests, Robovie-nano (pictured above) is X’s little brother. Nano is just 12cm tall and 575g heavy. Vstone started selling him in September last year. The company now offers a “controller version” (buyers get a wireless remote control) and a “special version” (Robovie-nano also comes with a gyroscope/accelerometer that’s also built into Robovie-X).

    Robovie-X costs $1,450, while the Robovie-nano is priced at $800 (controller version) and $915 (special version). All three robots go on sale in mid-January. Upgrading Robovie-nano with a “grip set” so that he can old small objects (like the red ball seen above) will cost another $70.

    Email Vstone directly if you’re interested in getting one of the robots but live outside Japan.

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