Pleo – a Toy with Personality

If you think you need a pet and can’t make up your mind whether to get a dog or a cat, Pleo, the toy dinosaur is what you need. This one-week old dinosaur may become the most exciting family member. It is a lot more than a toy and a little less than a pet (since it does not need real food or a litter box) but those who have got it are enthusiastic about what Pleo can do.

Besides moving about in a most natural way, just like his ancestors a billion years ago, Pleo is aware of his environment and reacts to exterior stimuli coming from it. He will explore your home and get used to it, being able to remember his experiences and take them into account.

This cute robotic toy will also express emotions resulted from the way he is treated. He will sound content to be given his leaf to bite, and to feel your hand caressing him. His individuality will begin the moment he starts moving. He will develop a unique personality, habits and moods due to the time spent with you. As he grows up, his personality will change according to the kind of life you offer him. If he is treated with love, he will turn to be the best friend you can have (probably a lot better than a cat can be).

Ugobe’s Life OS platform of tools and artificial intelligence interpret the influences and produce a wide range of gestures and vocalizations which will tell you about Pleo’s mood. There is no need of a remote control. Everything is incorporated in the toy; forty devices enable him to see, sense, touch and also detect objects so that Pleo can react in different ways to what he comes across. Due to the colour camera with a white-light sensor, Pleo can distinguish bright light from dark, see colours and a moving object, detect your motion and any obstacle he might encounter on his way. He will also know whether he is on a solid surface or upside down in the air.

The binaural microphones on the left and right give him stereophonic hearing, so he will be able to detect loudness and sound direction through both his ears. Pleo also contains infrared receivers and transmitters. These will allow him to identify and communicate with another toy of his kind as well as to detect when something is placed in his mouth. The plastic leaf that comes in his box is one of his favourite bites but he will gladly taste your finger if you let him (don’t worry, he is most gentle).

There are several sensors placed on his chin, head, shoulders, legs and back which will all allow him to feel. As for the skin, it is made of a very soft thermoplastic material painted with an incredibly realistic coloration.