Roboquad Spider-Bot Reviewed

WowWee's Roboquad gives me the creeps.  There, I've said it.  It's Robosapien may have been a vaguely friendly ape-like bot, but this multi-legged arachnoid/crab hybrid monster thing obviously triggers some long-forgotten childhood fears of mine.  Maybe I was attacked by Mark Tilder wearing a spider suit.  Anyway, PC Mag have tested out the white beast, and come away sounding more than a little confused.

On the plus side, it's pretty unique and certainly has enough functionality to occupy the average target-audience ten-year-old.  It's also sturdy and does a relatively good job of recognising obstacles and avoiding them.  On the minus side, however, it's vaunted personality modes aren't really different enough from each other to make them noticeable, and frustrating little details (like anything you programme Roboquad to do being lost when you turn the power off) mar the experience.

Here's inventor Mark Tilder demonstrating a pair of Roboquads at this year's CES.  The movements really do make me shudder, but I still want one!

PC Mag [via Street Tech]