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WowWee's Rovio Roving Webcam Detailed in Videos
Posted by Kit Eaton at 6:38 PM on September 24, 2008
The Rovio is quite definitely revving up for its September 26th launch with a bunch of new promo videos from WowWee. If you weren't already intrigued by the web-controlled roving webcam, then you will be after watching this teaser: it looks like it does a pretty fab job of manoeuvring while streaming video and sounds. I do wish the camera vertical angle was more adjustable though.
I like the way it finds its way back to the charging base automatically...though you'd better plan ahead on having it charged up if you want to use it for a serious business video conference. Though I reckon your colleagues'd be too amused by the strangeness of nattering to a robot for the conference to go smoothly...and if they're Red Dwarf fans then the similarity to the scutters will have them giggling far too much.
The Rovio's out this friday for $US300. [RobotsRule]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Chester_Copperpot
Posted 7:18 PM 24/9/08
Man, now I'll never have to get out of bed. And yes, I do have a toilet-chair.
Wall-E FTW!!!!
PS.
When sitting in my chair on the comp and texting on my iPhone, I feel like the humans in Wall-E
Chester_Copperpot
syner
Posted 7:41 PM 24/9/08
only supports WEP. big mistake...
syner
Curves
Posted 8:25 PM 24/9/08
I would definately not want this creepy little thing in my house. Anything is hackable and talk about the ultimate little spy gadget.
Curves
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 8:47 PM 24/9/08
@syner: Set up a seperate router for it.
@Curves: If my webcam,JerseyCam made any profit or had any income, I would totally get two of these, one for each floor of my house. Since it doesn't, $300 is a wee bit much for a webcam.
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
strider_mt2k
Posted 9:25 PM 24/9/08
I would really like to own one of these.
I wonder if there are outdoor-rated versions of those wheels...
strider_mt2k
GadgetPlay
Posted 10:05 PM 24/9/08
It's only a matter of time before someone takes the brains and controls and camera out and mods them into a more formidable vehicle. Like a tank.
GadgetPlay
Barry99705
Posted 11:34 PM 24/9/08
@syner: Well this won't be in my house then. Setting up a separate router just for this isn't a good fix. They should support wpa out of the box, if a pos Palm can do it, so can this.
Barry99705
godwhacker
Posted 11:49 PM 24/9/08
or the cool tank chair speedster!!!!
[www.webandgraphicservices.com]
godwhacker
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 12:21 AM 25/9/08
@godwhacker: Are the shocks on the front wheels necessary?
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Curves
Posted 12:01 AM 25/9/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->: I am pretty sure that if there was a "CurvesCam" site up 24/7 it would turn a profit, but I am already paranoid enough. The thought of being watched 24/7 would push me into the tin-foil hat club. Thanks, but I will stick to the traditional cams that I turn on and off at will and can NOT follow me around.
Curves
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 12:26 AM 25/9/08
@Curves: I guess it's a personal thing. It really doesn't bother me. Jenni from JenniCam was my inspiration, and I wish I could set my whole house up with cams. I'm trying to find a cheap/nearly free cam to install on the PC attached to my TV, so I would be up to three cams.
But honestly, since I'm out of the house most of the day, it would probably be following/chasing my cats. I wonder if I would get smacked by the ASPCA/PETA if I let my cam viewers stalk my cats through the house... Then of course, there would be the inevitable Roomba/Rovio battle royals which would occur downstairs. I would bet on my Roomba, b/c he has a habit of ramming things full speed.
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Kajo
Posted 1:51 AM 25/9/08
Today: Nannycam/pet spooker.
Tomorrow: Evil Skynet minion.
Kajo
Mig255
Posted 3:42 AM 25/9/08
the vertical angle is, check the other videos
Mig255
godwhacker
Posted 3:41 AM 25/9/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:
gotta have something to absorb the shock when you get done doing a massive 3 block wheelie. or they would be good for curb jumping as well.
godwhacker
Kit Eaton
Posted 8:36 AM 25/9/08
@Mig255: Yes, bit only between "flat" "up a bit" and "looking right up people's nostrils. A three-position choice seems rather limiting, given the degrees of freedom offered by the novel wheel assemblies. No?
Kit Eaton
gundamking2
Posted 1:21 PM 25/9/08
I would love to get one!!!! thou, there is a very easily scared and extremely curious 4 year old who spends alot of time at the house.... and I'm not sure if it would end up get destroyed or created a life-long fear of autonomous vehicles..... Oh well,I'll know soon!!
gundamking2