From robotic vacuums to toys to companions, here are our favorite gadget gifts for the holiday season.
The future has arrived. We may not yet ride in self-driving cars or have robotic assistants that do all our busy work, but there are plenty of gadgets available for purchase that are sure to delight your friends and family this holiday season. So don't settle for a gift card. Check out these unique, fun, and powerful robotic gifts for both kids and adults.
UBTECH Unicornbot, $119
This award-winning robot is buildable and codable for endless learning opportunities. With 440 snap-together parts and a free app with step-by-step instructions, this unicornbot provides hours of entertainment and learning for kids ages eight and up.
Stormtrooper Robot, $100
If you've got a Star Wars fan in your life, this robot is sure to delight. It features a companion app that allows you to issue verbal commands, launch attacks, and more. You can even ask it to patrol an area of your home, and it has facial recognition for up to three users.
Anki Vector Robot, $200
Courtesy of Amazon
This voice-controlled home robot can answer questions, time dinner, take photos, tell you the weather when you're getting ready in the morning, and more. This Wi-Fi connected robot is always learning, and the newest update will include Amazon Alexa integration.
Anki Cozmo, $150
This educational robot is the perfect gift for a kid who wants to learn to code. It has an adorable personality and can express hundreds of emotions. Cozmo can even play games like memory match and keep away.
Sphero Bolt, $150
Courtesy of Amazon
Code and drive this robotic ball with the companion app, which is available on almost any smart device. It's a great way for kids to both learn coding and play games. Draw and drive on a map or even learn JavaScript text programming. This tiny robotic ball is incredibly durable, waterproof, and has a two-hour battery life.
iRobot Roomba 690, $279
Looking for the perfect gift for the neat freak in your life? The iRobot Roomba 690 will vacuum your floors by itself, so you can set it, forget it, and do better things with your time. You can clean or schedule a cleaning from anywhere using your smart device, and the three-stage cleaning system makes sure your floors look spotless. It runs for a full 90 minutes before docking and recharging automatically.
Ageless Innovation Companion Cat, $100
If you know a pet lover who is unable to care for a real cat, consider gifting this lifelike robotic cat. It's designed to bring comfort and companionship to older folks, but is great for kids as well. The built-in sensors allow it to respond to your touch, and it makes authentic purr-like noises and vibrations.
Meccano Meccanoid G15 KS, $190
Here's another robot you can build from scratch, and even build to look like a dinosaur if you want. This award-winning toy stands four-feet tall when built and has 10 motors to create realistic movements. It uses voice recognition and includes over 1,000 phrases. More than just a toy, kids can build an interactive sidekick.
If you could invent a robot, what would it look like and how would it function? Let us know in the comments below.
