An apparatus includes a movement mechanism, a sensor, a microphone, a speaker, a processor and a memory. The processor selects a target region, controls the movement mechanism to cause the apparatus to move to the target region, and causes a speaker to output a first sound. When counting a predetermined number, the processor causes the sensor to trace a movement locus of a user. In a case where the processor has determined that an acquired sound contains a predetermined speech, the processor controls the movement mechanism to cause the apparatus to move through a predetermined space. When the processor has determined that the apparatus is not to intentionally lose in a game of hide-and-seek, the processor controls the movement mechanism to cause the apparatus to move to a target blind spot within the predetermined space, and causes the speaker to output a second sound.

A toy robot doll having upper and lower body portions and wheels that may be controlled by an operator with a remote smart device. A lower platform is connected to the lower body portion and an upper platform is connected to the upper body portion. A set of springs is mounted between the upper and lower platforms for biasing the platforms apart, and three cams and six cam followers move the platforms toward one another, move the doll's arms forward and outward, and move a head right and left. Another two cams pivot the head up, where all of the movements simulate dance steps and body movements that an operator may program using the smart device.

A mechanical toy incorporating structures that coordinate the positioning and movement of specific body parts for rotating, flipping and grasping movements with programmable systems, methods, and devices within toy structures. Extensions connected to opposite sides of a motive body or head assembly including grasping members and support structures for rotating and/or turning actions about a central body portion including grasping appendages. The toy apparatus may also interact with accessory items to enhance play value.

A more endearing robot includes an operation unit that causes the robot to operate, a viewing direction determiner that determines whether a viewing direction of a predetermined target is toward the robot or not, and an operation controller that controls the operation unit based on a result of determination by the viewing direction determiner.

A more endearing robot includes an operation unit that causes the robot to operate, a viewing direction determiner that determines whether a viewing direction of a predetermined target is toward the robot or not, and an operation controller that controls the operation unit based on a result of determination by the viewing direction determiner.

Provided herein is a character control system includes a strap configured to removably couple to a prop of a performer. A controls assembly is disposed within a portion of the strap. The controls assembly includes a plurality of control features. A controller is configured to couple to the controls assembly and an actuator of a puppet. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move a part of the puppet in response to actuation of a control feature of the plurality of control features by the performer.

A robot includes a body contactable with a placement surface, a head, at least one actuator, and at least one processor. The head is contactable with the placement surface, and is coupled to a front end of the body so as to be rotatable about a first rotational axis extending in a front-rear direction of the body and rotatable about a second rotational axis extending in a width direction of the body. The at least one actuator turns the head by causing the head to make a turn about the first rotational axis and a turn about the second rotational axis independently of each other. The at least one processor repeats a first turn control scheme and a second turn control scheme in sequence.

An interactive system includes one or more processors that are configured to receive a first signal indicative of an activity of a user within an environment and to receive a second signal indicative of the user approaching an animated character head. The one or more processors are also configured to provide information related to the activity of the user to a base station control system associated with the animated character head in response to receipt of the second signal to facilitate a personalized interaction between the animated character head and the user.

An action robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a figure configured to have a plurality of joints, a figure base configured to support the figure from below, a plurality of seesaw levers configured to be embedded in the figure base, the plurality of seesaw levers being configured to be disposed to be long in a radial direction of the figure base, the plurality of seesaw levers being configured to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the figure base, a wire configured to be connected to an inner end portion of the seesaw lever to pivot the joint, a plurality of rods configured to be disposed vertically, the plurality of rods being configured to press an outer end portion of the seesaw lever upward, at least one lifter configured to raise the rod, and a revolution mechanism configured to revolve the lifter about a virtual vertical axis passing through a center of the figure base. The number of the lifters may be less than the number of rods.

The action robot toy includes a robot main body, first and second shafts, first and second rotating members, first and second rotation devices, and a control device. The first rotating member includes a first tip end and a first base end being opposite to the first tip end. The second rotating member includes a second tip end and a second base end being opposite to the second tip end. The first and second base ends are rotatably linked to the robot main body via the first and second shafts respectively. The first and second rotation devices are configured to rotate the first and second rotating members. The first and second shafts extends in a direction, and the first and second rotating members are rotatable within a plane orthogonal to the direction. The robot main body is lifted by the first and second rotating members abutting a floor.