Robots Get Multimedia Functions

Walking, dancing, and talking robots are old news. And picking up your dirty laundry is old hat. Wowee Robotics' RS Media robot, a successor to the Robosapien, has multimedia capabilities and you can adjust his personality with its software.

This robot has stereo speakers built into its hands, a subwoofer on its back, and a color LCD screen for playing movies, showing photos, and displaying MP3 information (to put those speakers to good use); there's an audio jack for plugging in your MP3 player and an SD card slot. The robot also records video with the camera built into its head. The RS Media is expected to hit store shelves in November and will likely cost $399.



The more affordable P.E.A.Bot moves on wheels instead of legs, incorporating Segway's dynamic stabilization technology. Like the RS Media, this bot has a color LCD that displays graphics and animations, and can be flipped up for playing games. Using its arms, the P.E.A.Bot can push itself upright if it's fallen. Like the RS Media, it comes with a remote control. This bot is also likely to hit stores in November, and will likely carry a $199 to $249 price tag.



If dinosaurs are more your speed, check out the Roboreptile, a smaller version of the Roboraptor (see it dance here).

This robotic reptile has a guard mode for freaking out the family pet, and has four moods: aggressive, ferocious, passive, and tamed. You can tame the beast with its food item (shown in the lower right of the photo), or put its hood over its head to keep it in line.