WowWee has been capitalizing on the robot fascination of kids and adults for quite a while now. First with their RoboSapien and now with a whole stable of whacky-cool creations for everyone. Well, maybe except for that creepy Chimpanzee toy that came out last year. That thing gave me nightmares. This year however, they've gotten a bit cuter, they've given their robots wings, and they even give a shout out to "The King" himself. Let's see what WowWee has in store for 2007!

The Walking Talking Entertainment Center

The RoboSapien RS Media is literally an entertainment center on two legs. With a full color LCD screen, hand-mounted tweeters and a back-mounted woofer, a USB connector and MP3 and MP4 playback, it's like good ole OmniBot on steroids! Actually, due to the two legged stature, it actually reminds me of Soundwave from the 80's cartoon "The Transformers". Now if only little robots flew out of his chest to do battle...

The robot is fully programmable via a USB interface and can be programmed to do all sorts of crazy things. The RS Media is for kids 8 and up and should be available later in 2007 for $299 USD.

Gushing With Cuddly Cute Goodness

RoboPanda is damn cute! The robot doesn't use a remote and relies on your interaction with it for a true to life experience. In addition, Robopanda’s IR vision and stereo sound sensors allow him to track objects, avoid obstacles and pinpoint sound sources. Robopanda comes with a plush mini-Robopanda accessory which he can recognize and talk to like an old friend. Robopanda responds with mood specific behaviors and sounds and changes his mood and conversation based on your interaction. For example, if you pick him up and shake him, he'll react "accordingly".

RoboPanda has incredible movement enabling him to sit, crawl, walk on all fours, roll over and even give you a bear hug. Did I mention it was cute? RoboPanda is for kids 4 and up and should be available for $229 USD when it hits the shelves later in 2007. Yes, you can buy him too if you want.

Hail To The King Baby...

Last year's disembodied bust of a Chimpanzee creeped me out for weeks after I saw it for the first time at CES 2006. Now "The King" himself will creep me out. Through a license with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., this lifelike, animated singing and talking bust, based upon Presley’s ’68 Comeback TV special. It's still creepy.

Elvis sings and recites monologues using cartridges that are available for $29.99 US. His included Microphone allows you to take control of "The King" and you can even sing along with him. He's for ages 8 and up and should be available later in 2007 for $349 USD.