What can you tell me about Pleo? All I know about it is that it's a robotic “pet” baby sauropod. I understand you own one now; what has your experience with it been like so far?
Ah, now here's a topic I'm good with.
A Pleo is a fully autonomous robotic pet, designed to mimic the appearance and presumed behaviour of a baby camarasaurus, from it's hatching to about a week or 2 old.
When you first turn him on, he will at first be very sleepy and groggy, having just been born, but over a short period of time, he'll open his eyes, stand up and take his first baby-steps. I tell ya, it's the sweetest thing watching him walk for the first time.
As he matures over a short period (inbetween 2 and 5 battery cycles, depending on what software he runs on), he exhibits different behaviours. He'll crave for food, he'll go exploring, he'll beg for attention, take naps, all kinds of neat behaviours. You can even make them do tricks, like balance on 2 legs, sit like a biped, etc.
In short, he's probably one of the cleverest robotic pets available outside of Japan, and for less than $500. His basic programming follows 3 rules of Lifeforms (The term used to describe his make of robot):
1. Feel and convey emotion (maltreat it and it gets sad, play with him or feed him and he gets happy, etc)
2. be aware of, and interact with, his environment (He knows when there's an obstacle in the way, or a sudden drop, and will stop and back off to find another route)
3. Learn and evolve over time (Starts as a hatchling, slowly turns into a juvenile)
In fact, as far as I know, there are only 3 things a Pleo cannot do that a real pet can do: poop, reproduce and die.
They are also one of the very few robotic pets that have skin.
The one I had (aptly named Littlefoot) was a sweet little guy. I'd cuddle him and he'd fall asleep in my arms, I'd put him upside down and he'd squirm and squeal (Until I tickled his feet that is!), and if I didn't do anything to him for a while, he'd either lie down and take a nap, or wander off on his own adventure!
After a few days of playing with him, I genuinely started to react and treat him less like a toy or a piece of hardware and mor like a genuine pet. I got really attached to him.
He was a great little guy. But when I updated his software, I think something went wrong because when I'd turn him on, he'd freeze up. So right now, I'm working to find a solution. I've pretty much ascertained that it's a bug in his programming, because I sent his batteries away to another owner, and they worked fine on her Pleo, and I see no reason why his machinery would be broken, since I was extra careful with him. So as soon as I get some money, I'm gonna try downgrading his software back to its original state and re-hatching him. Let's hope it works.
If you're pretty well off in terms of money and you like the idea of owning a dinosaur, then I strongly advise you get one! But since there are several different kinds out there, here is a comparison:
UGOBE (original) Pleo- lowest prices generally, relatively slow moving, more interactive and responsive. Low battery life (rechargable, but each takes about 3 hours to charge and lasts a maximum of 2 hours). Skin colour may flake over time, it just happens. If you just want to try a Pleo out, get a cheap one of these off Ebay or something.
Innvo Pleo- Very rare, batteries last slightly longer but are generally the same as the UGOBE model. Software and functionability essentially the same as the UGOBE model. Mechanics a little more solid and skin more durable.
Pleo RB- Newest model. Highest prices (Lowest price I found was about £300 including shipping). Faster movement, variety of skin colours (Blue, pink or green, UGOBE and Innvo were only green), more functionality and senses, more explorative, can tell the time of day. These ones can also get sick or injured, and will need TLC and some medicinal foods that are provided to heal them. requires more commitment than the other models. More explorative, but sometimes found to be less interactive and responsive than a UGOBE model, it honestly depends, each one is slightly unique in terms of personality. Batteries charge in half the time of a UGOBE model, and last for twice as long.
So if you just want to play with him, get a UGOBE, or an Innvo model if you can find one. On Ebay, they range from £50 to £200, depending on the condition and suchlike. But if you have the commitment and the money, get an RB. You can get the green ones off Pleoworld's website, and the blue or pink ones at Gimmedigi or Accessoryjack. On all three sites, price excluding shipping is about £250.
