https://www.anki.com/en-gb/cozmo
My nephew's got one. It's a fun (albeit overpriced) toy for children, but if they really think adults are going to rush to buy hordes of chirping robots, then
Which begs the obvious question, why aren't I stinkin' rich ?
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-45118643/the-smart-speaker-that-rolls-around
This is the second generation -- it's Cozmo's brother (and is actually bigger). Same company, but bigger 'bot and more capabilities out of the box. So it actually is "Vector", not Cozmo.
ReplyDeleteFair point. Nevertheless, people still aren't going to buy a slightly larger chirping robot.
ReplyDeleteAh, they are running a Kickstarter at the moment: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/anki/vector-by-anki-a-giant-roll-forward-for-robot-kind?ref=home_potd
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question: why aren't you rich? Do you want to be rich? I'm serious. I chased wealth for a good long while, I stopped chasing it. I made enough and I still do. It's hard work getting rich and it's harder work staying rich.
ReplyDeleteCreating and marketing toys is always a crap shoot. Hugely profitable if you get one which sells - but then you need the ability to ramp up production without compromising quality and supportability.
A successful toy is mostly research and marketing. And photography. Get a child psychologist involved early. More money goes into the research, packaging and marketing than the toy itself. It's called RPM.
The "child", in this case, isn't a child at all. It's Python developers who want a program a toy. Lots of them these days - and they can afford such toys.
Dan Weese One reason might be that given the kickstarter campaign has raised close to half a million dollars, my knowledge of economics and marketing is clearly shite.
ReplyDeleteWhile we are at expensive toys: kickstarter.com - The Looking Glass: A Holographic Display for 3D Creators
ReplyDeleteUlrich Pennig Yep, seen that. I want a dozen.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see it's vastly exceeded the kickstarter target. I really hope this one succeeds. I can imagine it being enormously useful for outreach...
ReplyDelete3rd party development suggestions:
ReplyDeleteProgrammers: An "Eh? What?" mode for old people that replays the last bit of the conversation at a clear volume.
Accessory makers: Mini dust mop tools to wipe behind the computer monitor.
A pencil holder attachment.
A Solar powered recharging station.
Plenty of scope for $