Customer Reviews

WowWee Robosapien Humanoid Toy Robot with Remote Control

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Getting this robot out of the box is a job in itself. Have scissors handy and be prepared to do a lot of cutting and tearing. Also have a few screwdrivers around, because you need to unscrew the battery compartments to open them. Since I didn't know all this, it took me more than 20 minutes to wrestle the robot out of its packaging (which got fairly mangled despite my best efforts to be careful), find an appropriate screwdriver, and finally get things operating.

About the operation: not bad. The robot can bend its body well, all things considered, and the range of movement is pretty good. It did have a bit of trouble moving backwards and forwards on my carpeted floor (low-pile; NOT shag) and as for turning right or left, the efforts were painful to watch. The robot exerted a lot of energy but could only move in little hitches, and it took many labored seconds to fully turn to the right. It did do much better when on the very smooth kitchen floor.

Best functions: the karate chops, complete with sound effects; the dance program; "listen" program; wolf whistle; high five; and the arm movements.

Most frustrating: trying to get the robot to pick up items. They must be VERY carefully placed, and also just the right size and height. They also can't be very heavy at all. The robot could pick up a pencil when I held it up off the ground, but the pencil then slipped through its hand. It was able to grasp a small toy, but could not pick it up because even that light weight was too much. The arms are NOT very strong. For instance, if you command the robot to raise its arm, and then place your hand over the arm while exerting only a small amount of pressure, the arm will stop moving pretty quickly. It has little power.

As for durability, the robot's head seems quite delicate and loose. I kept worrying that it would fall off. And the black paint chips fast to reveal white underneath. When I bought the robot, it already had a few small areas where the paint was chipped. After I gently and carefully used it for about a half hour, it had a few more chipped areas. In some of the robot's movements, it actually strikes its own body, which doubtless caused some of the chipping. Example: when my Robosapien lowers its arms all the way, it usually smacks its legs. Aside from the paint and the head, it does seem reasonably hardy.

The novelty value wore off quickly. At first I was eager to try it out, but after maybe 15 minutes of putting it through its paces I found myself losing interest. Later, my young cousin played with it and enjoyed it for a while, but after a couple of days he turned to other toys and the Robosapien sat to the side, gathering dust.

Honestly? This toy is a disappointment. If you want a cool robot toy, try the R2D2 droid, which probably goes for a lower price by now and can play neat games. I've owned an R2 for over a year and still play with it fairly often. I just don't see this happening with Robosapien.

I love this robot, in fact I bought two regular Robosapiens and one mini Robosapien. It has a ton of personality, great sounds, and most importantly, it's funny as hell. There are over 67 different moves it can make. It actually walks and turns quite well, and runs for a long time on one set of batteries, which much longer than other robot toys I have.

In addition, there are tons of modifications out there that you can try, to enhance the Robot. Just search Google or Amazon's A9 for "Robosapien Hacks". There are also great free programs that you can use to greatly extend the "play life" of this little guy.

My personal favorite is a free open source program on SourceForge that let's you control him with your voice, and easily create complex scripts to make him do all sorts of wonderful thing. It's great for impressing your friends or making your own robot movies. Unfortunately you need a Windows computer and an infrared transmitter to run the program, but you can get the transmitter for cheap and most of us already have a Windows computer.

Just go to SourceForge and search for "Robosapien". It's called the Robosapien Dance Machine.

In the true world of robotics excluding hollywood; our technology is that of a child or toddler and we have a long way to go in the area of robotics helping human kind. SONY; and HONDA are making incredible discoveries in the evolution of the robot and interaction with mankind. People have to separate hollywood bots to the real, miracle of the advances of robotics.
This ROBOSAPIEN ROBOT is by far, the most spectacular I have seen available to the public for a very fair price. I have bought less valuble robots that broke in a month or didn't do what they had promised in the first day of use. I imagine, they have named him ROBOSAPIEN: one because of its humanistic behaviors, comical fun, but also the cavemen talk is exactly where we are in the field of ROBOTS. This has been an incredibly intertaining and unique toy that gets laughs and all the neighborhood's attention when He is out having fun with the other kids. His crude behavior, is funny and not at all offensive; even to older groups. He is more amazing to watch.
There is complaint that he does not remember what you have programmed to do once you shut him off; but that is the learning part of it and to keep my son entertained. While he can belch or fart one day with a clap; the next day he will give you a dance or kung fu move when you clap. Extraordinarily and uniquely entertaining to all ages, he has more than exceeded my child's expectations, as he has dreamed and saved for him for over six months. He has not at all been disapointed and if you have a "techy" child; you know how bored they can become and before you know it they are taking them apart to see how all thier mechanisms robots. His motions are very fluid contrary to the other review, all I can say is either he had a defective unit or expected much too much in the area of robotics and doesn't know at all how far we have come, from RAD; commando bot; emiglio. This Robot is absolutely amazing!!

As the mom of a young boy we have bought many, many robots. This one was the BEST! There are so many things that it can do. It dances, picks up items, walk, etc... Even my 8 year old son found it easy to work. However, i wouldn't buy it for someone younger than 8. Need to be able to learn remote and has small parts.

I think a lot of the disappointment regarding the Robosapien seems to be from people that had too high expectations about it.

I have had one of these since they were released in July, and I am very impressed with it.

Rather than putting it in the same category as a robot that can answer the door, sort your laundry, and bring you a beer -- put this toy in the same category as a remote controlled car. If you think about it in these terms, it is an amazing gadget.

Not only can it do everything a remote controlled car can do (i.e. basic movement), but it is a bipedal robot, it has some limited programming ability, and it serves as an excellent base for hacks and modifications.

I think as long as you keep your expectations realistic, you will not be disappointed with the Robosapien.

If your thinking of buying this product, then I urge you to buy it now. This robot is a great toy for everybody. It is very entertaining. This toy has 4 sensors, right side sensor, left side sensor, sound sensor, master program. The robot can therefore have reflexes. For example if Robosapien's right foot bums into a wall, you may have pragrammed to autimatically back up. Whats amazing is that u can link together 84 moves in one program. The sound sensor is quite cool aswell. I clap, and robosapien throw my dirty laundry at me. I garentee your child will never become tired of the endless programs you can make. Robosapien has very fluid motions for its low price. overall this is an oppertunitie you wont want to miss.

I live in Canada, and I bought it as a Christmas present for my 5 year old son. The unit cost me Cdn$99.

Before wrapping it up, I opened it up and tested it (to make sure it works so that I don't disappoint the little guy on Christmas day).

I think the packaging was good for shipping and display, but terrible for taking it out. Whoever packed it when crazy with their wires. I must have broken a couple of finger nails taking the thing out. But once I got it up and running, I was really impressed.

Yes, it is only a toy. But it is really an excellent toy. I actually spent over an hour checking it out. I barely got to test all the functions. I think I will enjoy spending a lot of time with my son trying to figure out how it all works.

I don't know a lot about Robotic, but it appears to me that this toy was very well designed. It is not another boring remote control vehicle (which we have quite a few "sitting" around in our house). This toy is "unique" and the price is actually very reasonable (given the amount R&D invested by the company). Just think, a plush toy or board game could easily cost you $30 or more.

I don't work in the toy industry, but I have seen and bought a lot of toys in the past years for my four children. With all the toys I have purchased in the past, this (along with the Brio train set) is truly my favourite.

Here is the deal...I am 29 years old. A little old you say for toys??? Perhaps. But then again this is not exactly a toy. If you have done any research on this product then you would know what I mean.
I wanted and received this for my birthday. One thing...it does get a little old. After you have explored the basic functions of Robosapien you may ask yourself "whats next?" The upside is alot. This is a fully hackable toy. There have been guys who have setup programs that enable them to operate Robosapien through there computer. There are quite a few people working on advanced programs and functions to make him work outside of the basic design. Now if you want just a toy it will suit that finction also. But if you expect it to clean your room it is not going to happen. But enjoy it for what it is and if you are so inclined, tweak it a little.
As a side note...ever since I have received Robosapien I am seriously starting to think about pursuing a career in electronics. The way I see it robotics are going to be the future much like computers have been and continue to be. Robosapien is a little glimpse into that future.

Some of the reviews here complain about Robosapien getting "old" after an hour of play. Just wanted to add my .02. As an adult, I do think the novelty wears off after a while but then, that's true of most electronic toys out there. My 8-year-old son received this in Christmas in 2004 and he still plays with it a couple times a month. He taught himself to program the robot and makes up adventures for it. Was it worth the price? Hey, ANY toy my son is still playing with almost a year later was probably worth it. And Roboraptor is on his list for THIS year, for what it's worth.
Oh, and even after lots of play and being dropped a couple of times, we've had no paint chipping and the like. Not sure what others are doing with this guy to get that kind of damage!

Our experience is different than the earlier reviewers...my very bright 12 yr old boy has a blast with this thing. He actually read the instructions and makes it do lots of fun things. It keeps him very entertained, and he's always coming up with new tricks to entertain everyone. It's kinda lovable too in a funny sort of way. :)