Pino - robotic toy review

8 February 2004 17:23 GMT / By Stuart Miles

While Sony’s Aibo may be able to recognise its owner, take pictures and be able to live semi- autonomously its over £1000. For those looking for a robot on a budget, Pino may just be up your street.

Standing some 15inches tall, the plastic robot has a somewhat friendly air about him and reacts according to how you treat him. Depending on how well or not so well you treat Pino will determine what personality he will take on: shy, naughty, or friendly and these will also determine how he responses to commands.

Like most robotic toys, Pino has a learning stage; three to be exact and if you want him to do more adventurous things other than just beep at you you’ll have to play. More play means more prizes and these prizes involves him walking and dancing. If you’re worried about how you’ll know how Pino is feeling his visor offers some feedback in the way of different colours - green for okay, red for excited and so on.


Verdict

With a £50 price tag you shouldn't expect much from this little fella and he is akin to the range of animal robots that filled the stores three or four years ago.

However, this isn't yet another patrot or dog robot and for that reason he does take on a more human character as he sings and dances his way in your heart. For kids (the box does say 8+) this is great fun as the robot will grow and learn the more they play with him. For adults looking to enliven the office, we played for about ten minutes before complaints started coming in and the poor chap had to go back in the box. Noisy and good fun, although this will be a five minute wonder for the easily bored.

Score

3.5
share print story pdf email story

Review Recap

Made by
Firebox
Price as reviewed
£50
The good
Cheap, learning ability, fun
The bad
He might be a robot, but he isn't the sharpest tool in the box
Quick verdict
For £50 it’s average for the price. As a Christmas present though it’d be less damaging if this was dumped, rather than a real puppy.
Score
3.5

Recommended articles


Full tags
Gadgets, Robots, Firebox

Search

Loading

Follow


Best iPad 2 apps

We detail the best iPad 2 and iPad apps in the app store Which iPad app should you download?

Windows 8

All the features and details of the new Microsoft operating system explained What's new in Windows 8?

iPad 3 rumours

What comes next? We look at the possible features, leaks, images, specs and more

Pocket-lint poll

Q. Will you be buying a PS Vita?

Vote YES Vote NO

» LAST TIME
When asked Will Samsung be making a mistake if the Galaxy S III isn't shown at Mobile World Congress in February? 51% said yes and 49% said no