Robot dogs have gotten a lot of coverage in the media lately. We have seen them do backflips, overcome challenging terrain, do push-ups, and perform other tasks. You don’t have to be an advanced researcher to have fun with quadruped bots. The Ruko R1 is a smart robot dog for kids ages 3 and up. It can dance, greet users, swim, and perform other moves. The good folks behind it were kind enough to send us one to test. Let’s see what was included:
The package has the main robot as well as a joystick and wearable controller. There is also a screwdriver to open the battery compartment and a USB-C charging cable. The robot is bigger than a couple of others we have seen in this category. It has a sleek, kid-friendly design. It doesn’t have any sharp edges or parts. In fact, we got our R1 to do flips on our desk without having to worry about scratches. Once you turn it on, the robot puts on a show to greet you. You can turn it over and the bot automatically turns its legs, so it works in either orientation.
This robot not only has some fun moves but also playful audio. The remote control lets you activate flip, roll, push-up, stunt, swim, potty, Kung Fu, and other programs. You can also use the P button on it to program over 10 actions and have them executed in the sequence that you want. The remote controller has back and front flip buttons. This robot can also tell kids stories with the push of a button. The dance and story buttons don’t play the same audio each time you press them, which is a plus.
While the handheld remote is very easy to use, the gesture controller can be even more fun. You will just have to put it around your wrist and wear the finger controller to get started. There are two buttons: the main button on the wrist controller pauses the program while the one on the finger can change mode from Basic Gesture to Stunt Mode. In the first mode, you can tilt your hand to move the robot in the direction you want. In Stunt Mode, you can perform flips and rolls with gestures.
The Ruko R1 has a lightweight design and can be easily lifted with one hand. It has a touch-sensitive area that activates a playful program when touched. Even when we blocked a leg or two, we didn’t sense any chance of injury. This robot can be charged in about 2 hours. You are going to need a 5V/2A adapter to go with the cable included in the box. We didn’t notice any abnormal heat when charging this robot.
We used this robot on a wooden desk and a rug with no issues. It also performed well outside, but it is not designed to be used on thick, long grass. The audio coming out of it was loud and can be adjusted with the push of a button. We tested the robot for 30 minutes straight, and it still had some battery left. It could last up to 50 minutes.
Overall, we found the R1 fun to play with. The remote and wearable gesture controller are both easy to use. This robot has a bunch of impressive built-in moves and can be programmed to perform them in your chosen sequence. It doesn’t have any sharp parts, nor is it heavy, so it is safe to play with. If you are looking for a robot to get your kids interested in technology without breaking the bank, this one is worth a look.
