Keyi Tech featured its modular, DIY Cellrobot prototype at CES 2016 last week, despite a failed Kickstarter campaign just last week. The company is still pushing for the robot to come to market, but unless prices drop or technology significantly increases quickly, it doesn’t seem likely. (via Cellrobot)
This reminds me of the Pi Ball - Spherical Raspberry Pi case I made not long ago... Check it out at this link.
Cellrobot made a big splash when it debuted last year. The DIY expandable robot won the hearts of many users, but a failed Kickstarter campaign made the executive board go back to the drawing board. Chinese startup Keyi Tech got more creative with the possibilities of Cellrobot, and was named one of the best CES 2016 by Reuters.
Cellrobot is a build-your-own robot, remotely controlled by a smartphone app. The robot is comprised of several smart spheres that snap together to become whatever you imagine. A central “HEART” powers the device, and houses the CPU, battery, charge port, light indicator, screen, lock, connector, and sound output.
The user can connect hundreds of secondary robots to the heart, called CELLS, which support the frame of the user’s design. Lastly, users can connect X-CELLS, which offer additional functionality to the static sphere design – these include cameras, wheels, lights and more. And because the design is open, makers can construct their own X-CELLS (and they have), allowing anyone the freedom to build the robot of his or her dreams.
Keyi Tech claims the robot is the first of its kind to hit the consumer market. Cellrobot is the only truly modular robots created for entertainment, according to the company’s Kickstarter page. And while the Kickstarter campaign bombed last month, the Chinese startup hasn’t given up on Cellrobot. In fact, it has a huge vision for what it can do.
Keyi Tech believes Cellrobot can be the one robot to address the needs of an increasingly technology-driven society. While the team admitted it needed more time to continue to develop the technology, it has plans to enable the DIY unit to execute specialized tasks, such as buttering toast, playing music, and even painting. The technology isn’t there yet, but it can still mix your drinks for you, or spy on your kids as you control it from the other end of the house.
It remains unclear if Cellrobot will make a comeback or die on the vine. One thing is agreed upon – if the company doesn’t find a way to drop the cost of each unit, experts can’t see the innovation going too far. The startup has plans to bundle the robots, instead of selling a la carte. According to reporters at Reuters, the kits will still cost between $250 and $600, which is a bit steep for a robotic floor lamp.
Makers, however, are finding a way to use the technology while avoiding the steep pricing, with 3D printing. Makers have already developed a score of X-CELLS from home, enabling them to use the HEART as a CPU. The robot connects to the smartphone app via Bluetooth, and with some tinkering, makers have been able to make robotic arms to hold things, pour liquid, and more. But again, is all of the work worth it when other products are available on the market to do just that, at a fraction of the cost?
Keyi Tech agrees, but hopes Cellrobot will be supported by the lay robot owner – the one who wants one robot to do it all. We’re rooting for Keyi, but the odds don’t seem to be in its favor.
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