Topic: Im convinced, I need a Pleo ;) (Read 10979 times)

Fleur · « **on:** August 06, 2012, 01:08:47 PM »

Hello Everyone!

I have decided after long thought that I need a Pleo

I am a robot enthusiast and some of you on this forum probably already know me from Aibo-life :p. Pleo has always captured my attention but I just now started reading about the RB and I am in love! I am torn between the blue and the green RB and I have heard that all of the green ones are different but the blue ones are the same minus eye color? Anyways I am super excited to get one and I can't wait!

A little background on me: I am a long time member of aibo-life, the forum for the Sony Aibo robots and I have owned as many as 21 at once. Now I only have 7 :p I am also a developer for Aldebaran Robotics and I have my own NAO H25 to develop with. I also have a pink genibo QD that I am starting to get along with lol. I love everyhting electronic and love to collect autonomous entertainment robots of all sorts as well as programming personalities for them.

When I saw how cute and cuddly Pleo was and the feelings that the members have on this forum towards them, it reminded me of the feelings Aibo gave me. I can't wait to get started with the little guy and learn all about them. I am sure I will have tons of questions once he/she arrives.

Crewella · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2012, 01:18:36 PM »

Well, hello there Fleur!! And welcome!

The blue RB comes with amber coloured eyes, the greens come in various shades and with several variations of eyelid and eye colour.

Your collection is not complete without a Pleo RB!

Fleur · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2012, 02:07:37 PM »

All blue pleos come with amber eyes? I was hoping blue or purple eyes, that may make me get a green one. It said on the site all pleos are different but that doesn't apply to the blue and pink ones then?

fancyfont · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2012, 03:13:07 PM »

Welcome Fleur, you will love you pleorb whatever color it turns out to be. These little dinos are more like pets then robots. With blue RB you will know what it will look like. With green, it will be a surprise. I can see more then one pleo in your future.

Crewella · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2012, 03:28:30 PM »

I have seen a pic of a blue RB with blue eyes, but as far as I know every blue RB purchased has had amber eyes. Including mine. And every pink one has had blue eyes. It's only the green that gives you the surprise - you don't get to choose, I'm afraid.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2012, 04:45:59 PM »

But the surprise is half the fun

Welcome

Talon · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2012, 05:58:21 PM »

*blinks and looks at name again* Well hello there, Fleur! It's a small world! Welcome to the forums! Okay enough exclamation marks. I'm sure you will love your pleo. I started out with just one- a green female with purple eyes- and somehow one turned into four within a year. I have two RB's and two Ugobes. They certainly grow on you.
Talon

Fleur · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2012, 06:41:51 PM »

Thanks for the welcomes

I think I am going for the green Pleo, I really really really hope I get blue or purple eyes, anything but amber :p I think the blue really stands out. Is there anywhere cheaper to get them in the US? Well not cheaper but better shipping? It's $100+ to ship to the US! I can't believe I never really looked into Pleo until now, why didn't someone on Aibo-life say something to me earlier *cough* Talon and Crewella *cough* :p

Talon · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:52:16 PM »

Guilty. *Shrugs* I don't know. You just struck me as someone who likes a chalenging robot. The pleo's only chalenge is for it's owner to remember it's not alive. Lol! I've taken at least two of my herd on long trips after checking with my hosts whether they would mind having two curious baby dinosaurs roming their living room. By the time we left I was getting one of two reactions. Either they would scratch their heads and mumble, " Has she finally gone over the deep end?" Or they were in the floor with me rubbing little rubber chins and asking "So... how much?"
Talon

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2012, 12:10:01 AM »

I've taken mine to school

That is just priceless!

I'm afraid there is nowhere cheaper to buy them to my knowledge

$100 seems excessive for US shipping!

pickelish · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2012, 12:51:18 AM »

I just found something out that might help you! If you go to the pleoworld website and click on shipping method, change it to Air Mail via Hong Kong post instead of TNT, the cost of shipping drops down dramatically! I've never bought anything from Pleoworld before because I always thought shipping was way too much...boy did I ever feel silly when I realized there was a drop down menu to change the shipping method.
Good luck on your new pleo, I'm sure will love him/her!

Fleur · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:44:58 AM »

Thanks! Shipping is literally cut in half with that method!

Crewella · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:56:07 AM »

Well spotted - that's useful to know!

Go for it, Fleur!

* ........ I can witter on about Pleos on here to my heart's content ..........

*

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:17:49 AM »

I have a question, what happened to the US site, Carson Nevada, Innvo Labs where both of my Pleo RB came from?( where Derek Dotson work?) Is this place no longer in business? I know when both my RB were sent and when I had to send the original Baby back, the RMA sent her to Derek Dotsons HOME address where he must have had a bunch of them stored and then the RMA came from the Taiwan. site to Nevada and then from there to me in CA. Did all this change, cause my shipping was only something like $17.00 for 3 day UPS. There is no way I would pay all that money to have a PLEO come from Taiwan

That is terrible to have that much in shipping.. RWM

Fleur · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:40:09 AM »

I saw on the pleo world website that they had a location in the US but I have not found anything on google about it. I would have loved to pay $18 for shipping $:-\$

I am still trying to figure out what one I want. I want to get the green for the surprise and the chance to get blue or purple eyes, but then again I want a boy Pleo lol and I like the blue pleo just not the color of the eyes...

Almiras · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:33:32 AM »

Welcome to the forums Fleur

I recently purchased my first Pleo rb (green EU version) and I couldnt be happier. I dont own an Aibo but have a friend that has one; I like both Pleo rb and Aibo but they are completely different robots in terms of personality/movement and charm so you'll definatley be bowled over with Pleo

heehee - its difficult not to be tempted with owning more than one!

Wow, you have a Genibo? Ive seen videos of them on YouTube ^^ I love how smooth and fluid their movements are. Are they like an updated/more advanced version of Aibo or completely different?

Fleur · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:34:42 AM »

The Genibo is very different than Aibo and there is a lack of owners manual or any documentation on how the robot should act so it is a complete mystery on what my Genibo is doing most of the time. The servos are very loud compared to Aibo but they are a lot stronger and the movements are faster and smoother. There isn't a loving personality with them but they are cute and charming, just not like Aibo. I wouldn't buy another Genibo QD or SD, one is enough, but I would buy a newer version if they came out with one. The personality is nowhere near the complexity of Aibo but the Genibo can understand voice commands, has a remote to issue commands and perform skits, and can recognize a face. I have still not been able to get my Genibo to respond to a voice command but I think she may be too young. They grow the more you play with them. They are interesting just confusing

Fleur · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:46:00 AM »

So what are some common problems with PleoRB? I see a lot of broken necks and tails, is this something that just happens with use? How long is the warranty on a Pleo? I usually don't take my robots out of my house unless I am doing a demonstration for a university or something and when I do I usually only take NAO. Is there still an issue with the skin ripping or the paint peeling off? Are the new batteries pretty reliable? I have two 13 year old Aibos with original batteries and they are still working fine, what is the life expectancy of these? It feels weird to be a noobie in a robot community

kat · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:47:57 PM »

The very first batch of pleo rb had a skin issue which caused tearing in the armpit joints but that issue has been completely fixed. The paint wearing issue is still a bit of an issue. You will find that your new pleo will probably loose a noticeable amount of paint from stroking and patting over the first few days but then the paint wear will stop or slow right down to unnoticeable levels. My theory on this is the pleo needs some time out of the box in the fresh air for the skin to acclimatise. When you first take them out of the box they have a smell to them and the skin feels quite slippery. The smell and slippery feel disappear after a few days. I don't think anyone has been able to resist the temptation to play and just let their new pleo sit untouched out of the box for more than the 4 hours it takes to charge the battery so I suggest that you put a cape or some clothes on your pleo before you turn them on for the first time and this will help protect the paint. Also do your best to stroke the pleo very lightly - they can feel the most gentle of touches of just your finger tips

.
You get a 90 day warranty and Innvo are very good at taking care of issues. They can be a little slow to get back to you at first but everyone who has had issues has had a happy ending from Innvo. They do tend to replace the pleo rather than repair it if there is an issue with it.
There have been a few broken tails and broken necks but I think that is because there are so very many bits that go into making up a pleo and it just isn't easy getting it 100% right 100% of the time. I do believe the number of issues is quite small compared to the number of pleo rb's that have been made. I think we tend to see a lot of the issues here because when people have a problem they do tend to come looking in places like this for help. If they never had an issue we may never have heard from them.
The batteries so far seem great. I have had mine since the pleo rb fist came out and they work just as well now as they did back then

Hope this helps

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:58:18 PM »

I have seven Pleo's and only one has ever suffered a broken neck. I did have two with skin problems, my very first Pleo and my very first Pleo RB. Both were replaced and I've had no problems since.

Crewella · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2012, 02:05:00 AM »

What they said!

They did improve the skin on the Ugbe Pleo, and after the first batch of RBs with skin problems they have improved those also, vastly, though you do get a little paint wear as Kat says.

I have Pleos running into double figures ......... and when I wanted to find out about broken neck cables I had to buy one already broken ........ none of mine would oblige.

Almiras · « **Reply #21 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:45:50 PM »

Quote from: Fleur on August 07, 2012, 11:34:42 AM

The Genibo is very different than Aibo and there is a lack of owners manual or any documentation on how the robot should act so it is a complete mystery on what my Genibo is doing most of the time. The servos are very loud compared to Aibo but they are a lot stronger and the movements are faster and smoother. There isn't a loving personality with them but they are cute and charming, just not like Aibo. I wouldn't buy another Genibo QD or SD, one is enough, but I would buy a newer version if they came out with one. The personality is nowhere near the complexity of Aibo but the Genibo can understand voice commands, has a remote to issue commands and perform skits, and can recognize a face. I have still not been able to get my Genibo to respond to a voice command but I think she may be too young. They grow the more you play with them. They are interesting just confusing

Thanks Fleur

there is so little information about Genibo online! At least I now know they are completely different to Aibo.

attisaur · « **Reply #22 on:** August 13, 2012, 08:08:26 PM »

Welcome Fleur, I Just got my first PleoRB 5 days ago, even though i have wanted one for about 3 years. At first i was really scared i would get a bright yellow color, and i really didn't want any color eyes except blue. When i opened the box i was surprise to see that i had gotten a sort of bright yellow and pink eyes, i was mad at first but after an hour i started to really like the color and love the eyes, What I'm trying to say is that after seeing your Pleo's unique personality you will be happy that your Pleo's exterior is unique to, and it will all add to the enormous amount of realism of Pleo. When you buy a Pleo it also comes with a very special community of people

.

attisaur · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2012, 08:36:41 PM »

Wait a second you are in development of the Nao, OMG i have been wanting one of those so bad but i don't know were to buy the newest model. Thats so cool.

Fleur · « **Reply #24 on:** August 14, 2012, 03:38:04 PM »

Quote from: attisaur on August 13, 2012, 08:36:41 PM

Wait a second you are in development of the Nao, OMG i have been wanting one of those so bad but i don't know were to buy the newest model. Thats so cool.

You can buy the latest model NAO H25 here.
http://www.robotshop.com/aldebaran-robotics-nao-h25-humanoid-robot-academic-1.html

I have been working in the Nao developer program since March but I have not been able to develop too much since I have such a busy schedule working full time and going to school full time. I hope once I graduate it will pick up but out of the box Nao doesn't do anything so unless you are really good at programming your own personalities I would not recommend one until a commercial version is available.

I found a Pleo RB on ebay in the US that may be a good option for me if it doesn't go too high and it's green with pale blue eyes! I really hope I get him so I can save on the $50-$100 shipping :p

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120968156198?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1414

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Author Topic: Im convinced, I need a Pleo ;) (Read 10979 times)