Robotics

AvatarMind Unveils Companion Robot at CES 2017

• By Sri Ravipati
• 01/09/17

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.