If you're only going to buy one robot, then you might as well buy something that can be configured into 100 different robots.
That's the premise of CellRobot, a new modular robot designed and built by KEYi Technology of Beijing. The company has finished the product, and has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the $75,000 it needs to begin manufacturing. (So far, it has $28,495, with 41 days to go.)
The company had planned to do a Kickstarter campaign earlier this year. But following problems with some of its manufacturers, the company delayed the campaign until now.
CellRobot consists of three types of ball-shaped units that are connected to form robots of different shapes.
The "heart" unit is actually the brains, supplying power to the other units and communicating with a smartphone app to control the robot. Multiple "cell" units are then connected to the "heart" to create the robots' shape and movement capabilities. And finally, "x-cells" are placed at the end of a series of units, and include things like cameras, lights, or wheels.
The company is trying to attract developers to write functions for the robot's software as well as design new x-cells.
Assuming the campaign is successful, the first units would be delivered in December. The company estimates the retail cost for a basic CellRobot kit will be $380.