Robotic dogs have been available in the market since 1999 when Sony introduced the first consumer model of AIBO. A lot of tech lovers want to have their own AIBOs, but the robot dog’s very expensive price tag prevents them from owning one. If you’re one of those people who like to have a robot dog but don’t have thousands of dollars to spare, then WowWee’s new robot dog toy, Dog-E, could be the perfect option for you!
What is WowWee Dog-E?
Launched at the Consumer Electronics Show on January 4th, 2023, Dog-E is a smart, app-connected robot dog with life-like movements, audio sensors to hear sounds, touch sensors on its head, nose, and sides of its body, and a POV (persistence of vision) tail that displays icons and messages to communicate.
Dog-E is unique to every owner as a result of over a million possible combinations of colorful lights, sounds, and personality traits. The moment you turn on Dog-E, your all-white pup comes to life through the minting process, which reveals its unique colors and characteristics. The minting process starts once you pet its head, touch its nose, or play with it, among other several interactions.
Dog-E can “talk with its tail” by displaying emotes, icons, and messages. It will also let you know when it’s hungry, when it wants love, and when it wants to play — each in unique ways, based on the personality you have ‘MINTiD’.
What can the Dog-E companion app do?
The Dog-E companion app allows multiple members of a family to mint and save their own individual profiles in a single Dog-E. Each family member can have a Dog-E profile with its own unique look and personality, which they can effortlessly switch between each person using the app. With so many personalities available, some Dog-Es will be calm and relaxed, while others might be energetic and playful; some might always be hungry, while others will be cute and shy.
Through the app, you can also train your Dog-E to learn your name and program movements based on how you want to play and interact with it. The app also lets you teach your robot dog your favorite tricks such as giving kisses, singing, and responding to claps.
Where to buy Dog-E
Dog-E is now available for purchase on Amazon, dog-e.com, and other online stores. You can also get one in select physical retail stores across the United States and Canada for $79.99 USD and $99.99 CAD, respectively.
For comparison, the latest model of Sony’s AIBO, the ERS-1000, had a price tag of around $3000 when it was launched in 2018. Pre-owned units of the Sony pet dog are currently selling on eBay from around $1100 to $3300 depending on rarity.