14 DAY TRIAL // We don't expect robots (and especially advanced models) to be among the most affordable products out there, but it would seem that the people over at Hammacher Schlemmer are taking things a bit too with their “Emotive Robotic Avatar” a device that, despite providing some pretty interesting features, has an outrageously-expensive list price. Of course, Hammacher Schlemmer has quite a reputation for charging a bit extra for all of their products, but the fact that they're asking $65,000 for their “Emotive” robot seems a bit exaggerated, all things considered. Anyway, leaving the price point aside, let's take a look at what this tiny robot can deliver, so that you'll be able to make up your own mind whether this thing is worth this huge amount of money or not. The “Emotive Robotic Avatar” is described as a robotic puppet that conveys nuanced emotions controlled by its operator from a remote command center, located at up to 30 feet away. Using a combination of eye expressions, antenna colors, body language, and the digitally modulated voice of its operator, it expresses five feelings happy, confused, angry, sad, and embarrassed. The puppet stands on its integrated stage which conceals 19 motors that control the puppet's realistic animated movements (so it won't ever move around). Operating the device seems to be a pretty easy task, since owners adjust the emotions of the puppet by tapping the tablet's screen with a stylus--perky antennae, fully bright green eyes, and an upright torso imply happiness, while drooping antennae, half-filled blue-colored eyes, and a slumped torso and a downturned head convey sadness. A microphone and pinhole camera allows an operator to see and hear what the puppet observes through the PC's screen and a headset, while real-time responses to questions are modulated by the included digital stereo processor which pitch-shifts the operator's voice, played through two speakers built into the stage while the puppet's mouth moves. The puppet is manufactured from an aluminum skeleton with a 3D-printed ABS plastic shell and has 18 multicolor LEDs in each eye and one multicolor LED in each antenna. Moreover, it plugs into AC and measures 54 x 24 x 24 inches, while weighing around 75 lbs., and is built to order. So, what do you say, is it worth that much?
The Hammacher Schlemmer “Emotive Robotic Avatar”
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