This “strangely charming” mobile robot offers proof that we’re living in “a golden age of toys.” Place an iPhone or iPod Touch atop Romo and you can bring him to life by using a second iOS device as a remote. He can roll into a room, engage the occupant in a video chat, and change his facial expressions accordingly. But “the real magic” happens when you program in a personality. Want a shy Romo? He can be made to back away in fear whenever the phone’s camera sees a face, then creep forward with head bowed. Pick him up and he’ll giggle.
$149, romotive.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Film reviews: ‘Send Help’ and ‘Private Life’Feature An office doormat is stranded alone with her awful boss and a frazzled therapist turns amateur murder investigator
-
Movies to watch in Februarythe week recommends Time travelers, multiverse hoppers and an Iraqi parable highlight this month’s offerings during the depths of winter
-
ICE’s facial scanning is the tip of the surveillance icebergIN THE SPOTLIGHT Federal troops are increasingly turning to high-tech tracking tools that push the boundaries of personal privacy
