AvatarMind Unveils Companion Robot at CES 2017

At the annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week in Las Vegas, a number of companies showcased social robotics, which have become trendy in the last few years. Among them was AvatarMind, a company based in China, which unveiled a companion robot designed for children aged 3-8 that offers interactive learning content.

The iPal has the ability to talk, dance, tell stories and play games. It can navigate a maze and interact with children, getting them interested in science and technology concepts. Additionally, it acts as a safety monitor, allowing parents to remotely control the robot from their smartphones or desktop at any time.

Its specs include:

  • A standing height of 3.5 feet;
  • Weighs 28 pounds;
  • Four wheels to provide mobility;
  • A 1.3 MP camera in its eye;
  • 4 GB RAM, 32 GB ROM;
  • Rockchip 3288 quad core 1.8 GHz;
  • A 6-inch LCD display;
  • Six microphones;
  • Five touch, five ultrasound and three infrared sensors; and

  • WiFi, Bluetooth capabilities.

The iPal is expected to ship in China early this year. It will be available in the United States later in the year, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the model.

To learn more, watch the video below from the Associated Press, or visit the AvatarMind site.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

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