Vivid Imaginations Pleo the Robot Dinosaur

The Pleo Robotic Dinosaur is a sophisticated as real as it gets technology. It's nothing like other robots you have seen. I first saw this on TV, on the Gadget Show and was amazed and fascinated by the technology put into this.

Pleo is a Camarasaurus type dinosaur and every one of these is individual as there microchips are programmed to learn different things. When you get Pleo it is born which lasts around 5 minutes and acts like ...
...and slightly scared of the new environment it is in. To make it more comfortable you gently touch its chin and stroke it and it will respond by sniffing your finger and you will hear it make soft baby dinosaur sounds.

Gradually it will develop responses to you and get to know who you are. Pleo has over 40 different sensors and responds to the slightest touch. Like a dog it will move its tail when it's happy and will be sad when wants ... more

The Pleo Robotic Dinosaur is a sophisticated as real as it gets technology. It's nothing like other robots you have seen. I first saw this on TV, on the Gadget Show and was amazed and fascinated by the technology put into this.

Pleo is a Camarasaurus type dinosaur and every one of these is individual as there microchips are programmed to learn different things. When you get Pleo it is born which lasts around 5 minutes and acts like a new born. Gently opens its eyes, slow curious movements and slightly scared of the new environment it is in. To make it more comfortable you gently touch its chin and stroke it and it will respond by sniffing your finger and you will hear it make soft baby dinosaur sounds.

Gradually it will develop responses to you and get to know who you are. Pleo has over 40 different sensors and responds to the slightest touch. Like a dog it will move its tail when it's happy and will be sad when wants attention. It's all unbelievably realistic. You can make it tug a toy and it will tug back, it sleeps quite a lot when new born and soon turns to playtime when learns more. I put my finger in its mouth sometimes and it does bite down on it, it's funny. Pleo's skin is rubbery due to the robotics it has inside for realistic movement.

Pleo will show so many emotions its funny when it shows these emotions as there so realistic and you will know what each one means. For example Pleo walks at the end of the table and realises its going to fall it will get scared, back away and look surprised. You feed it by giving it its favourite leaf. As Pleo has touch and sound sensors it will respond to your voice as it develops from a new born. New born meaning when you first get it it's basically clueless and needs teaching.

The Pleo runs on a battery which fits on the underside of its belly, and is away from view. You basically take it out when want to charge it and put it in the charging dock supplied. It takes around 4 hours to fully charge which gives you about 1 hour of play time with Pleo.

Main functions and features from box:
- Pleo has over 100 custom-designed gears, and 14 motors for highly articulated movement
- Sophisticated sensory systems that enable him to see, sense, touch and detect objects, move autonomously
- It's able to detect bright light from dark, see colours, sense motion and track a moving object
- Have binaural microphones that give him stereophonic hearing, allowing him to detect sound direction and loudness
- It has eight touch sensors on his body are triggered by touch and allow him to "feel."
- Green in colour and weighs 3.5 pounds
- Stands about 7.5 inches high and 21 inches long when on all fours

Overall Pleo is amazing technology and very realistic. As every Pleo is different depending on how you look after it and teach it, it will respond differently and know your voice. You will soon know what your Pleo likes and dislikes. Also if you have 2 Pleo's they will interact. I haven't tried this as don't know anyone else that has one. Pleo costs around £200 - £250, not cheap I know but comparing it to other robots out there it's worth it as it's the most realistic robot on the market. It's an inquisitive animal that requires attention and care not considered suitable or intended for children under 8 years old as stated on the box.

Pleo has a website which is www.pleoworld.com 

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