A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

The present technology relates to an autonomous mobile body, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing apparatus capable of improving user experience by an output sound of the autonomous mobile body.

The autonomous mobile body includes: a recognition unit that recognizes a motion of its own device; and a sound control unit that controls an output sound output from the own device. The sound control unit controls output of a plurality of operation sounds that is the output sound corresponding to a plurality of the motions of the own device, and changes the operation sound in a case where the plurality of motions has been recognized. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a robot.

Communication with a user is more naturally and effectively achieved. An information processing device according to an embodiment includes: a voice module (340) that outputs sound or voice in accordance with an action plan that has been input; a motion module (350) that executes an action in accordance with the action plan that has been input; and a body controller (360) that creates an action plan for each of the voice module and the motion module, in which the body controller: acquires audio data for outputting audio and motion data for executing an action; creates a first action plan for the voice module and a second action plan for the motion module on the basis of the audio data and the motion data; and inputs the first action plan to the voice module and inputs the second action plan to the motion module.

A character skin for a toy robot has an outer cover having an inner surface that is shaped to conform to an outer surface of a robot body housing of a self-propelled, toy robot. The outer cover can be fitted onto the robot body housing to cover an outer surface thereof and then removed from the housing, preferably with requiring a tool. The outer cover has an identification mechanism that provides an identification of a robot character software program, wherein the identification is electronically detected by the toy robot and in response the robot character software program is executed by the toy robot which changes behavior of the toy robot, whenever the outer cover is fitted onto the robot body housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Example game systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a sensing device determines an identity of a game piece in a physical space and detects a movement action associated with the game piece. A computing device calculates a distance and direction associated with the movement action and determines a result of the movement action based on the distance, the direction, and the identity of the game piece.

A robot system has a follower robot and a leader robot. The follower robot follows the path of the leader robot using infrared (IR) signals. The follower robot follows the physical path and positioning of the leader robot. The leader robot is permitted to travel an arbitrary path or is controlled by a wireless transmitter. Relative robot positioning, being distance or direction can use an infrared system between respective robots.

A modular electro-mechanical agent having a plurality of modules including mechanical and electrical components, that can be constructed to complete at least one pre-determined task and/or contribute in performing the at least one pre-determined task. The electro-mechanical agent can include extension modules and can be altered as per user preference to add, eliminate or modify any features of the agent for completing and/or participating in a plurality of pre-determined tasks.

A play apparatus has a pair of devices. Each device has: a capture arrangement such as a cavity to capture an object such as a ball; an object detector to detect that the object has been captured; a transmission module to transmit a release signal; a receiver module to receive a release signal; and a release actuator to release the captured object. A first device detects capture of a first object, transmits a first release signal to cause a second device to release a second object. The first device withholds the first object until releasing it responsive to receipt of a second release signal indicating that another object has been captured by the second device.

A joint structure is used in connecting a first region and a second region of a robot. The joint structure includes a first member provided in the first region, a second member provided in the second region and having an engagement face that engages with the first member, and a coupling mechanism that causes a coupling force of the first member and the second member to be utilized to the full so that an engaged state of the first member and the second member is maintained. The coupling mechanism breaks the engaged state when a relative displacement of the first member and the second member from the engaged state exceeds a predetermined amount.

The present invention relates in one aspect to a toy construction system for constructing and operating a remote controlled toy vehicle model. The system comprises: a plurality of modular toy elements; a modular toy vehicle base detachably connectable with the modular toy elements by means of coupling members so as to construct a toy vehicle model; and a remote control device adapted to control motorized functions in the modular toy vehicle base. The modular toy vehicle base further comprises an interaction sensor adapted to generate an interaction signal in response to a mechanical interaction with the toy vehicle model; wherein the toy construction system further comprises a processor with a signal analysis process. The signal analysis process is configured to perform an analysis of the interaction signal for indications of a building interaction according to predetermined criteria, and based on the analysis to generate an output indicative of a building interaction status.