Sega unleashes the iDog

[srobert]

Think the name sounded familar? How about its looks? ^_^

On Wednesday, the Japanese electronics specialist took the wraps off its latest invention in Tokyo, a robotic canine known as idog that can be used to compose and play music. It also dances to the beat.

According to the Japan Today news site, the four-legged automaton features a number of switches located on its nose and other parts of its diminutive body that are used to create and play music. It has other buttons that cause the pet to light up or express emotions. The mechanical beast also features onboard sensors that detect and react to movements when it is held in an owner's hands.

Linky-Link

Mommy! Can I keep it?

I like how they colored the buttons. I think it's kinda cute, iPod beware, this dog got bites... or does it?

 

[tubedogg]

Awwww....cute

I want one! lol

 

[JeDiBoYTJ]

I can picture those things getting together and taking over the world..... sounds like a great plot for a movie.....hmmm

 

[jlewis2k1]

those are cool little things ... now where can we buy one? :-D

 

[QFace]

i would buy one if it was cheap... a real dog is too difficult and expensive to keep in college

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I see some serious rivalry between my iPod and this dog happening here... The fight for the ownership of Xcat. When music devices clash....

Hopefully this thing will be less expensive then an AIBO.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

those are cool little things ... now where can we buy one? :-D

10 to 1, unless you live in Japan you might never see this in the states.

Japan is home to so many great little gadgets that never see the light of day here.

 

[Peyote]

MacRumors welcomes our new automaton canine overlords.

 

[virividox]

I see some serious rivalry between my iPod and this dog happening here... The fight for the ownership of Xcat. When music devices clash....

Hopefully this thing will be less expensive then an AIBO.

omg the aibo was a rip off

 

[srobert]

About the price:

Sega toys JP has announced the iDog music entertainment pet a portable dog shaped speaker. So you could totally hook up your iPod to the iDog to share you music. The iDog will be available in Japan on April 2nd for 4,179 Yen. The iDog can express 4 emotions Joy, anger, grief and happiness, using its neck, ears and 7 LEDs built into the face to let you know what it is feeling, e.g., when you touch the tail, the iDog gets angry, and makes a cute sound. The iDog also features a built-in 27mm diameter monaural speaker on its back which can be used to playback any of the 70 built-in tunes. Offers 3 hours of play back. Measures 116x107x100mm.

At the current rate, 4,179 yen = 40.2521 USD.

Credits: Ployer

 

[ford prefect]

That's pretty cool, but I like this one better.
I know it doesn't tie into the iPod, but it is cool.

 

[G-Prime]

I read an article about this somewhere that said it would be avaible in April and that Hasbro may sell them in North America.

 

[rickvanr]

i would buy one if it was cheap... a real dog is too difficult and expensive to keep in college

and a robot dog would show so much love and companionship. It'd be in your closet in a week. I have a puppy in university, it's not so bad, I am in an Apartment and not a dorm though.

 

[wdlove]

Cute, it's something that an owner could love. Interesting, looks like it will be released around my B-day. What a great toy, also will have the availability to connect an iPod.