Consumer robots could also be a big topic at the CES 2007. Here is a newcomer. French MECCANO introduces the Spyke robot in the United States under the ERECTOR brand.

The Spyke robot is controlled via a PC over Wi-Fi. Spyke has a webcam and moves on a rubber band. Professional robots can climb stairs with such a drive mechanism.

Such Wi-fi remote control robots with camera are already available in Japan from a couple of companies (e.g.: ZMP's Nuvo). They are marketed as home security robots or pet sitters.

I like these robots. It is fun to try to find your cat in your house while working hard at the office. I am still waiting on more details from MECCANO about Spyke. We try to stop by their booth at CES if we find time.
See also the Meccano site (French). The SpykeWorld site did not launch yet. Update: Meccano tells us that the pricing will be approximately 270 USD in the US and 250 € in Europe.

WowWee is expected to reveal new robots at CES 2007. Ugobe is also supposed to show the PLEO.
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