Cozmo engages both intellect and emotion, representing a significant feat of engineering. But does its appeal endure? We at senses.se have been evaluating Cozmo for several weeks and present our exclusive report for our readers.
The American robotics company Digital Dream Labs, while relatively new, has quickly gained attention. Founded by three engineers from Carnegie Mellon University approximately five years ago, the company debuted at Apple’s WWDC conference in 2013, marking the first time a third-party company was featured. Anki’s mission is to integrate robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) into the home through toys and personal gadgets. The name Anki derives from the Japanese term for “memorize.” Following a stealth launch in Sweden with the release of their intelligent car track, Anki OVERDRIVE (featured as a top Christmas gift of 2016 on senses.se), Anki has expanded its offerings. This year includes a Fast & Furious-licensed version of Overdrive (review forthcoming) and the highly popular robot, Cozmo.
Cozmo possesses considerable charm and a design refined by Harald Belker (known for creating the original Batmobile, the Iron Man mask, and the Tron vehicles). Cozmo’s animated eyes, capable of over 1,000 distinct expressions, were developed in collaboration with animators from Pixar and Dreamworks Animation. Cozmo navigates on plastic treads (available in various colors, sold separately in sets of three), and integrates a camera for perceiving and processing its environment. Unlike the AI cars in Overdrive, Cozmo operates without a fixed track, adapting its movements based on environmental input. While designed to avoid falls from elevated surfaces, accidental drops can occur (Cozmo is robust, though unnecessary stress should be avoided, considering its intricate internal assembly of over 300 parts). With its camera, integrated speaker, expressive animated eyes, and a companion iOS and Android app, Cozmo offers a compelling interactive experience.
The initial setup requires pairing Cozmo with a smartphone. A secure connection is established over a dedicated Wi-Fi network, enhancing security and minimizing the risk of unauthorized access to Cozmo’s visual data (while acknowledging that no Wi-Fi network is entirely impervious to sophisticated hacking attempts). Note that interacting with Cozmo via the required smartphone app will temporarily disconnect the phone from the regular Wi-Fi network (the 4G connection remains available). This shouldn’t pose a significant issue, as interacting with Cozmo benefits from focused attention. Initially, Cozmo exhibits a cautious and curious demeanor. By scanning your face and inputting your name, you establish a lasting presence in Cozmo’s memory, eliciting a positive response upon future recognition. This simple feature, combined with Cozmo’s impressive mimicry and animated eyes, fosters a surprisingly strong emotional connection.
The Cozmo starter pack contents.
Cozmo’s programming incorporates AI principles, enabling dynamic and self-learning behavior. The mobile app provides daily tasks to guide Cozmo’s development, beginning with basic interactions. Increased engagement through play, winning, losing, and general interaction facilitates increasingly sophisticated behavior over time. The Cozmo package includes a charging dock, a USB cable (though a wall charger is not included, any standard USB charger is compatible), and three light-emitting cubes serving as Cozmo’s primary play objects. Cozmo interacts with these cubes in various ways, and users can provide “sparks” to prompt specific actions such as rolling, lifting, stacking, knocking down, and playing color-matching games. As interaction increases, Cozmo’s “emotion chip” evolves, unlocking new tokens and development opportunities. Cozmo exhibits an energetic and assertive personality, engaging in playful activities, jokes, and songs. It can also operate autonomously, developing independent games and activities, further enhancing its capabilities. A full charge provides approximately 1.5 hours of use, with a rapid 10-15 minute recharge time.
The app also enables remote control of Cozmo, providing a first-person perspective through its camera. A comprehensive SDK allows for detailed programming (using Python) or sequence creation via the visual programming language Scratch. An updated version of Scratch will soon be available, enabling complex command chains, mathematical formulas, and conditional logic. This transforms Cozmo into a versatile robot platform, allowing users to customize its behaviors extensively. Continuous software updates ensure ongoing development and expanded capabilities.
What role does Cozmo ultimately fulfill? Is it a niche tech toy targeted at programming enthusiasts, with a price point around 2,500 SEK? It certainly can be. Data suggests that a significant portion of users are adult males. Simultaneously, Cozmo serves as an engaging companion, akin to a virtual pet, often appealing to those who enjoy nurturing activities. Younger children may find Cozmo’s interactions somewhat assertive, while children aged 4-5 and older typically possess the maturity to appreciate its unique personality. Anecdotally, parents of children with autism have reported that Cozmo offers valuable benefits due to its consistent, non-teasing behavior and largely non-verbal communication style.
Examples of Cozmo’s expressive range.
Critical perspectives might point out that Cozmo does not represent AI as portrayed in science fiction, such as in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. – Artificial Intelligence. However, Cozmo surpasses existing home-use toys and gadgets in its dynamic and engaging nature. Furthermore, it continues to evolve through software updates. For advanced users, the programming mode offers extensive customization possibilities. Cozmo offers a compelling glimpse into the future of robotics and AI. While it won’t perform household chores or initiate a global conflict, it represents a significant step toward more sophisticated robotic capabilities. Compared to Sony’s AIBO robot dog, Cozmo’s ability to communicate, recognize individuals, play games, and learn independently demonstrates considerable technical advancement.
The Scratch visual programming interface within the Cozmo app.
We are highly impressed with Cozmo and value it as both a “pet” and a unique presence in the office. Even the most pragmatic individuals are likely to find Cozmo’s antics endearing. While it cannot yet handle tasks such as packing or making coffee, its capabilities as a tech gadget, advanced toy, and allergy-free companion make it a noteworthy creation. As such, we wholeheartedly recommend it.
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