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Say Hey to Vector - Anki's Home Robot With Personality Launching in OctoberWhen people imagine what their daily lives will be like with robots, many take inspiration from sci-fi novels, television shows, and films with high-spirited characters like R2-D2 from "Star Wars," and Rosie in "The Jetsons." Instead, the closest the world has come in the quest for affable, useful home robots are puck-like vacuum cleaners and lifeless cylindrical talking speakers. That's about to change. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180808005146/en/ Vector is Anki's first home robot with personality. Fully autonomous, cloud-connected, and always-on, he represents a major leap for consumer robotics by bringing accessibly-priced, life-like robots to millions of homes. (Photo: Business Wire) Today, Anki, the consumer robotics and artificial intelligence (A.I.) company made up of top roboticists, film animators, engineers, and game designers, is bringing the sci-fi future one step closer to reality with the announcement of Vector, its first home robot with personality. Fully autonomous, cloud-connected, and always-on, Vector represents a major leap for consumer robotics by bringing accessibly-priced, life-like robots to millions of homes. Vector is available for preorder in the U.S. starting today on Kickstarter and backers will have early access to their robot on October 9, in addition to receiving a special Kickstarter price and various exclusive backer rewards. Vector will be in stores on October 12. "For over five years, Anki has brought together a team of experts across various fields to create the world's first affordable, character-rich robot capable of surprising and delighting humans," said Boris Sofman, CEO and co-founder at Anki. "Vector is the culmination of everything we've learned in this journey so far, and a bold next step in our vision for entertaining and purposeful robots in every home, everywhere. Today marks the starting point in an overall expansion for our robotics platform and how we combine the latest technologies in robotics and artificial intelligence with our novel approach to character and interface. For the first time, people will be living with a robot that is able to bring both a warm and joyful experience, as well as a new and characterful form of utility. This builds a bridge not just to a new category of home robots, but our own future product lines that will continue to expand on the level of capabilities that are possible." A Giant Roll Forward for Robotkind Vector is a robot who's alive with personality, highly-intelligent, and aware of his surroundings through touch, sight, and sound. Unassertive and thoughtfully built, he is designed to fit naturally into your daily life as well as any space in your home, with minimal maintenance. Vector isn't an appliance sitting in the corner waiting for you to flip a switch; he is an extension of your family who is excited for you to walk in the door each day. Vector is designed to complement your life. And because he's cloud-connected and able to self-update, he's always getting smarter and adding new features. Under that polished exterior, he's also chock-full of robotics and A.I. tech. Alive with Personality
"Vector is spearheading a transformation in consumer robotics using Qualcomm Technologies' innovations in heterogeneous compute, camera, A.I., security and connectivity which allow for very small devices with exceptional intelligence, thermal efficiency, and battery life," said Dev Singh, director of business development, robotics, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "We are pleased to support Anki on its journey to evolve robots - going from utilitarian machines into smart, friendly, and relatable companions that will bring joy to many people's lives." "Our mission is now to apply the technology we've developed within the entertainment industry to create a future where humans and intelligent, general-purpose robots can live in a mutually beneficial way," added Sofman. At launch, Vector will retail for $249.99 and ship with one base charger and one interactive Cube. While Vector is fully autonomous and always-on, a smart device running the companion app (available on iOS and Android (News - Alert)) is required for initial setup. 30-Day Campaign on Kickstarter Vector is ready to enter the home and can be purchased via pre-order on Kickstarter starting today. The 30-day campaign will end on September 6. Backers of the project will receive Vector at a special Kickstarter price and early access to the robot as well as the software development kit (SDK) alpha, which is launching this winter. Backers of Vector are also automatically enrolled in the Vector Insiders Club, a Kickstarter-exclusive group that will help shape the future development roadmap for Vector. Vector Space In October, Vector owners will also be able to purchase a Vector Space (MSRP: $29.99). The Vector Space is Vector's home within your home and gives him a perch to observe any room and the perfect stage to perform. Vector SDK Coming Soon A Vector SDK - based on the Python language - will be available to all Vector owners early next year. With the SDK, users will be able to harness Vector's hardware and software technologies-from advanced facial recognition to a high-resolution color screen - to augment their Vector experience in ways that no other consumer robotics platform offers. Supporting Resources
About Anki Anki brings objects to life through robotics and artificial intelligence, allowing people to build relationships with technology that feel a little more human. For more information, visit www.anki.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180808005146/en/ |