REETI computer webcam robot takes on the world

The Gadget Show  Wednesday 30 March 2011

While The Gadget Show has been busy making its own robots for the War of the Robots, other companies have been making robots for everyday use – such as REETI. Looking like a cross between a frog and a robot, REETI is actually a computer, a webcam and more, and should look great on your office desk.

Although he (or she) looks somewhat like a gormless frog, REETI is a mini desktop PC, and is also capable of lots of other things. Spec wise, REETI is similar to a high-end netbook – with an Intel Atom processor and a 500GB hard drive.

There’s an nVidia Ion 2 graphics card, so you’ll be able to play simple games on REETI, along with running Blu-ray movies. An HDMI port lets you hook up a HDTV.

It’s the design of REETI that stands out, however. Instead of packing the components into a dull grey box, REETI has a body, a face, a moveable head and even different expressions.

Worryingly, the eyes are capable of tracking you. You can also conduct video conferences, as the eyes feature integrated cameras. Even the cheeks light up, signifying when REETI is happy or sad.

If nothing else, it should make it a bit more difficult to thump the computer if it crashes – we could imagine REETI ringing for help!