HOLLYWOOD TIE-INS, animated cartoons, a rock video - is this the future of Robosapien?
It is hard not to think so, after viewing a demonstration of what could easily be one of Hong Kong's most successful - and innovative - product launches ever.
Retailing at US$99, the robot that grunts, burps, passes wind and performs kung fu kicks has been flying off the shelves since its June launch. More than 1.5 million have already been sold, and the orders keep coming. They could easily surpass the 3 million mark next year.
'To get orders for 1.5 million [units] is not difficult,' said Eric Lau Tung-ching, chief operating officer of Hong Kong-based WowWee. 'But more than 90 per cent have already been sold to consumers. That's a totally different story. All of our customers have placed repeat orders for next spring.'
Roughly US$1 million was spent on development costs. Close to US$4 million was spent on marketing, US$3 million of it for television advertising in the key United States market, which has accounted for 60 per cent of sales so far. Europe comes in second with a 35 per cent share.
Robosapien features an amazingly simple design. Unlike other robots, which are made up of square shapes, this creation is based on triangular shapes, a concept that echoes nature. It has seven motors for the legs, waist and arms. It has an infrared data port, a sonic sensor and two touch sensors spread over six contact points: hands, toes and heels. It also has red LED eyes and yellow LED palms.