Tekno the Robotic Puppy

Tekno the Robotic Puppy

Tekno with ball and bone accessories
Type Electronic robotic toy
Inventor Bob Del Principe, Brian Dubinsky, Gary Leynes
Company ToyQuest
Country  United States and  United Kingdom (2013, onwards)
Availability 2000–Present
Official website

Tekno the Robotic Puppy (aka Teksta the Robotic Puppy) was a popular electronic robotic toy which originally launched in the fall of 2000. Tekno sold over 7 million units in its first season and went on to sell over 40 million units in its original 4 years of production. The worldwide popularity for Tekno led to prominent awards and widespread media coverage which included newspaper articles, television and film appearances, and a stand-alone feature on the cover of Time magazine.[1]

With over 160 emotions and functions, Tekno the Robotic Puppy captured the imagination of parents and kids by offering a special technological peek into the future. Children could enjoy the companionship and playfulness of a real pet without the daily care giving burdens.[2] Tekno's basic functions included walking, barking, eating, and sleeping, and special motor sensors enabled emotional and lifelike intelligence. It could be "taught" to respond to voice commands and to perform real dog tricks such as fetching, whining, and playing tricks with the included bone and ball accessories.[3] Smart light sensor technology also gave Tekno the ability to understand visual commands and to react to environmental stimuli, even knowing when to go to sleep on its own.[4] Since 2013, the new Teksta was released by Character Toys in the UK, and Tekno is controlled by a smart device like iPad, Android phone, and Windows Phone 8. As of 2016, a 5th Generation version will be slated to be released.

Development

Developed by Bob Del Principe, Brian Dubinksy, and designer Gary Leynes, Tekno launched in the fall of 2000 retailing for $39.99. Marketing efforts included a national television commercial campaign, traditional public relations, live talk show appearances, and the creation of the Institute of Robotic Technology to promote the world of robotics.[5]

Entering a crowded toy pet market which included Rocket the Wonder Dog from Fisher Price, and Poo-Chi, from Tiger Electronics and SEGA, Tekno was named the best puppy for its value by Jim Silver of the popular magazine Toy Wishes.[6]

New Pets and Robots

Following the success of Tekno the Robotic Puppy, ToyQuest launched 22 additional Tekno and Friends pets and robots:

Tekno the Newborn Puppy

The spin-off of Tekno the robotic puppy. Similar to the 2013 version, it comes with a ball instead of a card trick.

Kitty the Tekno Kitten

2001

Originally sold exclusively to Toys “R” Us, Kitty the Tekno Kitten launched in 2001 and was advertised as the perfect companion to Tekno the Robotic Puppy. In addition to the smart technology included in the robotic puppy, Kitty included color-changing eyes to show different emotions. Kitty also came in several different colors and breeds making each one unique.

2007

The new version of Kitty the Tekno Kitten was renamed "Tekno the Robotic Kitty". Comes with a remote control.

2014

A new version of Kitty the Tekno Kitten was launched in the UK in July 2014 and was expected to be released in the US in December 2014 and comes with pink color. Despite flipping, she pounces. Comes with a mouse with flashing eyes.

Baby Kitty the Tekno Newborn Kitten and daMouse the Tekno Mouse

It is the same prototype as the original Kitty and the Tekno mouse is "daMouse". daMouse is the robotic mouse who loves to race around and be chased by Kitty. It comes with cheese, fish, and small mouse.

Polly the Tekno Parrot

The third release in Tekno and Friends pet line was Polly, the Tekno Parrot. In comparison to previous Tekno pets, Polly was an edgier talkative robot with special voice learning technology to mimic and repeat its owner's words.[7] Polly also came with a cage that doubled as a charging station for its batteries.

Rex and Steg, Fighting Tekno Dinosaurs

The fourth release in Tekno and Friends pet line which was released in 2003. They fight and win. Rex comes with a bone, and Steg comes with a leaf.[8]

Tekno Dinkie Robots/Teksta Dotbot Robotic Family

The fifth release in Tekno and Friends robot line were Fubo^Kie, Jibo^Kie, Suki^Kie, Oto^Kie, Koukou^Kie, and Bikou^Kie. These artificial intelligence and voice activated robots interact with each other and talk in "Dinkish" language. They are like astronauts but with the sound sensors and red fuel buttons.[9] Every robot likes to walk except Koukou^Kie (he rocks left and right). The game modes in each Dinkie Robot are clock, alarm, song, game, status, brush teeth, anti-virus, and walk. In the United Kingdom, it is Teksta Dotbots. And in Japan, it is Palbo Dinka Robots created by Tomy.

Battling Tekno Saber Scarab

The sixth release in Tekno and Friends pet line was a saber scarab. Comes with a remote control.

Boomer the Robotic Puppy

The first Tekno 2.0 pet which is a beagle or dalmatian. Comes with a ball and steak.

Mack the Robotic Fish

The second Tekno 2.0 pet which swims on floor surface and table surface. Does not swim in water.

Roscoe the Robotic Frog

The third Tekno 2.0 pet who leaps everywhere. Comes with a lilypad and a fly hooked on it.

Flash the Robotic Turtle

The fourth Tekno 2.0 pet who walks slow. Comes with the lake. If the owner takes off his shell, he would say "Uh Oh!".

Tekno the Robotic Pony

The 2007 release in the Tekno and Friends pet line. Tekno gallops, and loves to eat apples.

Tekno Mega Mech R/C Robot 48-Inch

An inflatable huge Tekno robot who was like a balloon. Comes with a remote control and rolls instead of walks.

Sakura: Best Friend Robot

Originally sold by Toys R'Us, Walmart, KB Toys, Amazon, and Target.com. The 2007 release in the Tekno and Friends robot line was Sakura. Sakura interact with girls or boys and answers yes and no questions, doing fortune telling, knows funny facts, fashion, keeping secrets using her key and remote, and dances on a robotic scooter.[10] Sakura comes with a robotic scooter, remote, key with keychain, and boquet.

Playful Pup Tekno

The 2007 release in the Tekno and Friends Pet line was a beagle. It was controlled by remote and comes with a magnetic ball or bone.

Tekno Newborns

2007

The 2007 release in the Tekno and Friends Pet line were puppy, kitten, elephant, and monkey. The puppy comes with the bone, kitty comes with the mouse, elephant comes with the haystack, and the monkey comes with the banana.

2015

The 2015 release in the Tekno and Friends Pet line were only a puppy and a kitty.

Tekno Robotic T-Rex

Same as Rex: Fighting Tekno Dinosaur, this is the 2014 release of the Tekno and Friends robot line.[11] He comes with a disconnectable bone. If the owner makes his mouth open and gives him a bone, he will chew it, and launch it away with an almighty burp.

Tekno Robotic Scorpion

The 2015 release in the Tekno and Friends line was a scorpion. Features a sting in the tail (a pretend one!), this aggressive little character has an added level of electronic interaction. Comes with a clever IR hand controller that straps to the users hand, waving movements are translated into 360˚ movements on the Scorpion. Multi-channel operation means that two or more of these fearsome characters can fight each other and battle for victory using their giant pincer hands.

Tekno Robotic Toucan

The 2016 release in the Tekno and Friends line was a toucan. This incredible bird has been fitted with the newest ultra-sensitive voice recognition chip for even greater control and sophistication.

Tekno Through The Years

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kick-Start Toy Quest's Fortunes".
  2. ↑ "Leaders of the Pack".
  3. ↑ "Toy Story Shelves are Going to the Dogs".
  4. ↑ "Tekno Light Sensors".
  5. ↑ "Tekno the Robotic Puppy".
  6. ↑ "Shopping:Toy store shelves are going to the robo-dogs".
  7. ↑ "ToyQuest's latest Robotic Feathered Friend".
  8. ↑ "Tekno Rex and Steg".
  9. ↑ "Dinkie Robots, Big Annoyance".
  10. ↑ "Sakura robot dethrones diamond as girl's best friend".
  11. ↑ "Tekno/Teksta T-Rex, Kitty and Dalmatian pictures and hands-on: The new robot pet range for 2014".
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