Described as being one of the hottest new consumer electronic products to be launched this year the Pleo robot is not cheap at $480 however it does come with a lot of sophisticated hardware, including 14 motors, 38 sensors, two ARM7 microprocessors, and five other microprocessors and is very "cute".
Accordi
ng to Jacqueline Bergin, Business Manager at Ingram Micro the product is a "perfect fit" for their new consumer products division. "When we initially saw this product females fell in love with it. It is smart and actually learns things the more you own one".
Developed by US based Ugob the Company has recently raised $12.8 million in a third round of financing to expand its robot range beyond Pleo, said the company's chief executive, Bob Christopher.
The company's robot team is headed by Chairman Caleb Chung, co-creator of the Furby talking dolls that have sold more than 50 million units. Chung's team created a sophisticated artificial intelligence in the few months that the Company has been on the market the company has sold more than 50,000 to date with 30,000 being sold through the likes of US retailer Wal Market at US$390
Recently the company issued two software upgrades and in an effort to control Pleo's behaviour. Investors in the Company, including some of Asia's leading venture capital Companies.
For a demonstration go to
