Roboquad
| Industry | Robotics, Toy manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mark Tilden |
| Products | Roboquad (robotic quadruped toy) |
Roboquad, recognized as "The first genuine robotic arthropod," was among five robotic models introduced by WowWee at CES in January 2007. Created by Mark Tilden, this quadruped robot bears resemblance to a spider or canine and is equipped with diverse personalities, environmental sensing capabilities, autonomous functions, and remote control operation.
Features
- Five Distinct Scanning Patterns:
- Smart Scan: evaluates the environment and responds to alterations
- Scan Left and Right: orients toward nearby objects
- Approach Nearest Object: advances toward the closest detected item
- Escape Walk: searches for the most open area
- Flinch Response: reacts to sudden movements
- Five Operational Modes:
- Direct Control: movement guided by the user
- Autonomous Mode: independent interaction
- Guard Mode: reacts to noise and motion with sound effects
- Sleep: shuts down after a period of inactivity
- Demo: executes a choreographed dance
- Edge detection capability
- Remote control for navigation, programming, and personality customization
- Contains 72 built-in functions
- Supports 40 customizable moves
Hardware
- Four leg actuators equipped with position sensors
- Two motors in the head and neck allowing full rotation
- Infrared vision with dual lenses offering a 13-foot range
- Integrated microphone and light sensor
- Infrared remote control system
- Powered by four C-size batteries along with three AAA batteries
Personalities
Roboquad offers configurable 'States'—Awareness, Aggression, and Activity—each adjustable to low, medium, or high levels. Elevated Awareness increases scanning intervals; higher Aggression mimics anger; enhanced Activity expands movement speed and range. Its sensors for light, sound, and infrared enable interaction responsive to external cues.
Movement and Autonomy
Each leg is capable of swiveling, facilitating forward, backward, and lateral movement at comparable speeds. The head’s full swivel allows environmental scanning without needing to rotate the body. Roboquad’s five scanning patterns adapt according to personality configurations. Its infrared sensors possess sufficient sensitivity for advanced navigation tasks such as passing through doorways.