Launch of MiP toy robot in South Africa

MiP was designed in a collaboration between Wowwee and the Coordinated Robotics Lab at the University of California, San Diego. It balances just like the Segway, using the mobile inverted pendulum principle (hence its name),which means that the bottom of the robot is constantly moving back and forth, in order to keep the weight of the top section centred above it. It can be controlled via GestureSense system, in which an on-board 3D sensory system recognises and responds to the user's hand gestures.

Distributed by Prima Toys South Africa, MiP is a multifunctional and autonomous robot is more than just a toy. It comes with a free app (available via the iStore or Google Play) that links via Bluetooth to an iOS or Android smartphone and is a combination of the latest robot technology with personality.

Play modes

• Tracking - the ultimate version of follow the leader and watch it precisely track your hands, legs or any other object of your choice.
  
• Dance - with a flip of a switch, it becomes the life of the party. With more than one, dances can be choreographed.
  
• Roam - Watch it explore and react to the environment. Highly responsive to surroundings, it detects objects in the way, acknowledges them, avoids them and keeps on going.
  
• Tricks - it has up to 50 commands. It lets you programme different sequences of action. Swipe your hand in all directions, clap twice and it will play it back
  
• Cage - it is in a virtual cage. It is your turn to prevent his escape by blocking all the exits.
  
• Stack - stack as many objects as you can on its tray before the timer runs out. Be amazed at all it can carry!

The smartphone app contains more games and modes including Boxing, pair it up with a friend, Battle, fire lasers at your opponent or Path, create a journey for it with the swipe of a finger.

MiP is around 17 cm high, weighs about 0.6 kg and runs for about four to six hours of 'moderate usage' on four AAA batteries. It is now available in South Africa at selected retail outlets nationwide at the recommended retail price of R1,799. For more information, go to www.wowwee.com/mip.

Join the Mipster community on Facebook and watch the TVC below: