When Coop first arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal here in New York City I had no idea what was in store for us two chums. Things on our list included going to see Gym Class Heroes, going to the bars, eating at a Grilled Cheese restaurant, and going to this little event called Digital Life. Since this was really my first true technology expo I had no idea what was in store and was simply following Jon like people in their twenties watch Naruto, way too closely. It is not the wonderful content of this Expo that I am about to tell you about, for that is Jon's job at GV, instead, I am here to tell you about my robotic adventure.
     It all started when a man was handing out raffle tickets. This act of generosity intrigued and I stood in a line about three deep to receive my golden red ticket. It was only after a few minutes that I learned this ticket holds the key to attaining the gifts they were handing out on stage in fifteen minutes. As soon as this realization hit me I ran over to Jon and showed him what I had just found. Since the words "free" and "stuff" were placed in the same sentence he instantly asked me where to go and ran over the generous man, or at least the man whom I thought was generous. Jon walked up with his Press pass ablaze and asked this man if he also could have a wondrous ticket of opportunity. The man at first did not even give Jon a glimpse of recognition, but eventually looked at his face, then to his press badge and up again. He said in a jesting sort of way, "Only attendees only". We laughed and Jon asked again. This Grotesque man, as I now saw him, said "This raffle is not open to the press, stop trying" as I slowly hid my very own press badge from his burning glare.
     This obviously annoyed Coop, so he ran back to the Wizards of the Coast booth as I stood in the back of the crowd ready to see what I could win. Coop thought I was crazy, but I knew that I must stay to fulfill my destiny. I had attained this red ticket even though I had a press badge on, so I must stay. As I stood there I heard them give away pointless objects such as mp3 players and lifetime subscriptions to LOTRO and I must admit I was fairly downtrodden. This is about the time when Jon walked up again and attempted to tell me a story about how a robot almost just killed him. I barely heard him and pointed to the stage and said "that robot?" pointing to another raffle prize that was just being presented. "no actually", was his response and after hearing the faint sound of nerdcore rap he scuttled off in the direction of the main stage. Shortly after he left my presence they called out the ticket number "779". I was taken aback because that sounded just like the number in my hand...and it was! I did a double then a triple take until I was ready to push through the crowd to accept my swag. On the way up I removed the press badge from around my neck and put it in my hand, so they would not know I am the enemy. I received my heavy package and even posed for a picture that I can not find anywhere online. And now I present to you, my free swag:

     Amazing you may think to yourself and I agree. With prize in hand I sidesaddled up to Coop without addressing the obvious to which this conversation took place:
"did you seriously win that?"
"Yup"
"I hate you"
Here is a quick rundown of its stats:

• -4 layer, full function, illuminated remote control
• -72 pre-programmed functions
• -guard: visually scans the environment; sound sensor detects noise
• -2 built in demos: dance and movement
• -Programmable: up to 40 moves
• -Sleek and agile: rotating legs, articulated neck
• -Control style of walking (i.e., crab walk, stomp walk, rotation walking)
• -control head movements
• -Light sensor: headlights turn on and off and Roboquad will react depending upon ambient light levels
• -Sound sensor: reacts to sounds and scans for nearest object when disturbed (when stationary)
• -Autonomous mode- interacts with his environment as he moves through it, scanning and avoiding obstacles
• -Behavior influenced by 3 controllable personality settings
  - Activity level
  - Aggression level
  - Awareness level
• -Deep IR scanner vision system
  - multiple scanning ranges
  - used to assess distances and obstacles and influence behavior
  - 5 scanning sequences
• -Smart scan: examines surroundings then reacts if anything changes; reacts according to aggression and activity levels
• -Approach nearest object: looks left and right while ramping up the scanning range and moves towards the closest object found
• -Flinch response: if an object approaches his scanner very quickly he will react, according to his aggression level

     After breaking the robot of its slave name and calling it Carlos, after my room mate with the sole purpose of creating confusion, it was time to see what this thing can do. First let me share with you the wonderful commercial that the people over at WowWee have created:

     My experience with this robot was nothing short of exciting. Yes, it really can detect if it will run into things and can sense the level of lighting in the room. Yes, it is as adorable as the picture and video make it out to be.  Yes, it is as awesome as it seems. With an aggression mode I was excited to start taking my robot around town killing for justice as I have always dreamt about. I figured I would put it on the street corner here in Brooklyn programmed in Guard mode with Aggression on high and just watch the bodies pile up. Surely they would give me the key to the city in due time. The cities response? "You're gonna need a bigger robot".
     Oh well, I'll just enjoy the versatile movement given from the four layer controller. This gives the ability for one button to have four different functions depending on what "color mode" the controller is in. A person may feel threatened by the amount of movement that Carlos can exhibit from a single controller, but will be happy to learn that it is an important skill set because if you can drive a robot you can drive a snow cat and anyone knows that knowing that can save your life.
     I must say that Carlos does not like the confines of my small room and has cut me on a few occasions when he is in full aggression mode. For instance, when he is in guard mode with all of his settings turned fully up he won't stop detecting the faintest movement; Things that I cannot even see. Destined to roam the free Earth, yet shunned by society. I cannot wait for my little guy to attain the same rights and freedoms that everyone on this Earth has. For now he will sleep under my desk and entertain me and my friends like a jester of a court.

www.roboquadonline.com