Rovio, the robot Hyderabad-based software company Buddibot has launched a mobile web camera that helps families stay in touch with distant silvers
At first glance, Rovio appears to be a hi-tech, remote-controlled toy; a turtle-like creature in metal and chrome that darts this way and that, and wanders all over the house. But amusement is the least of its functions - it is actually a mobile web camera (web cam) that helps families keep in touch with silver members and monitor their movements through streaming audio and video. Patented by WowWee Technologies, a Canadian firm, the web cam operates on software designed by Buddibot, a web-applications company headquartered in Hyderabad, India. The omni-directional device with microphones is wi-fi enabled, which means it can be integrated with high-frequency wireless local area networks. What's more, it can be controlled from anywhere in the world through the Internet. Rovio is much more than a remote, roaming surveillance system, though. "It is easy to navigate and elders can set reminders for medication and diet," says A S Machiraju, co-founder and marketing head, Buddibot. "Through the use of 'Virtual Assistant' networks, it can facilitate social interaction on the Net and even look for information on search engines on any topics of your choice. As for entertainment, it can access music and videos over the Internet for playback on a PC. And when its battery runs out, Rovio will remind you to plug it into the dock for charging." While Buddibot is primarily targeting NRIs, the company hopes people across India will also buy Rovio for their elderly parents who live alone. The device costs Rs 14,850 and you have to shell out another Rs 1,750 for an annual subscription for connectivity and Web services. At present, the device sells only in Hyderabad but will soon find its way to electronic stores in all major Indian cities. You can order it online at smartbotsdirect.com, or call (0) 9848022382 for more details. Featured in Harmony Magazine September 2009 To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
