Sphero Launches New R2-Q5 iPhone-Controlled Star Wars Droid

[MacRumors]

Following the launch of BB-8 in 2015, and R2-D2 and BB-9E last month, Sphero has introduced an all-new iPhone-controlled droid ahead of New York Comic-Con, which begins today. This one is R2-Q5 and is the Imperial counterpart to R2-D2, with a glossy black finish and matte gold trimmings. R2-Q5 first appeared in Return of the Jedi.

Similar to Sphero's R2-D2 droid, R2-Q5 has functional lights, a rotating dome, retractable third foot, on-board speakers, and can be piloted manually via the same Sphero app that controls the other Star Wars droids, or patrol on its own. The app has augmented reality features that place R2-Q5 in settings within the Star Wars universe, including the Death Star. You can watch Star Wars movies with the droid and have it react to certain moments within the film as well.

R2-Q5(TM) is an Imperial astromech droid from a galaxy far, far away.... Control it with your smart device or keep this nefarious Droid in top shape with augmented reality training. R2-Q5's signature front and rear LED lights are fully functional, and an integrated speaker means all sounds come right from the droid itself. Watch R2-Q5 interact with other Star Wars(TM) App-enabled Droids by Sphero, and view films from the Star Wars saga with R2-Q5 reacting by your side. This special droid has been brought to life thanks to Sphero technology.

Sphero is planning R2-Q5 as a much more exclusive model than its previous droids, with only 100 on sale at the company's New York Comic-Con booth today. After that, the droid will debut on Best Buy's site and in stores on November 5 for $199.99. Pre-orders are available now, and the "limited edition" droid is expected to see limited availability throughout the holidays, so once they disappear from Best Buy they'll be gone for good.

Article Link: Sphero Launches New R2-Q5 iPhone-Controlled Star Wars Droid

 

[b11051973]

I bought the BB-8 and basically never used it. The thing would only work in my kitchen, and I have a tiny kitchen. BB-8 did not work on any carpeted surface in my house. I ended up giving it to my niece. Don't know if she ever used it, but she was excited to receive it.

This thing would probably work better in a smaller space. Probably much easier to control than a ball. The black is sharp, but why isn't it just R2-D2?

 

[DeepIn2U]

I bought the BB-8 and basically never used it. The thing would only work in my kitchen, and I have a tiny kitchen. BB-8 did not work on any carpeted surface in my house. I ended up giving it to my niece. Don't know if she ever used it, but she was excited to receive it.

This thing would probably work better in a smaller space. Probably much easier to control than a ball. The black is sharp, but why isn't it just R2-D2?

Upgraded Imperial Droid

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

The black is sharp, but why isn't it just R2-D2?

Not sure what you mean. If your asking why not R2-D2. They already make one.

https://store.sphero.com/products/r...MIxoTpvvvZ1gIVj4NpCh09owFFEAAYASAAEgLJiPD_BwE

 

[kingpushup]

Have it: 1985 Sears “Wishlist” catalogue at same price ... and brought drinks, played music.

Wanted: a robot to manually reset a router, to unplug/replug my smart TV, to retrieve/change batteries in headphones/mouse/door and other wireless devices

 

[blackcrayon]

I wish the current R2D2 worked with Swift Playgrounds like it's supposed to... Never connects, and I'm not the only one with the issue.

 

[5105973]

I bought the BB-8 and basically never used it. The thing would only work in my kitchen, and I have a tiny kitchen. BB-8 did not work on any carpeted surface in my house. I ended up giving it to my niece. Don't know if she ever used it, but she was excited to receive it.

This thing would probably work better in a smaller space. Probably much easier to control than a ball. The black is sharp, but why isn't it just R2-D2?

I have a problem because of cats and a dog. The pet hair gets cleaned up of course but there is always more waiting to be shed. Fuzzy robots is not as cute as it sounds. I hope for AR versions someday.

 

[b11051973]

Not sure what you mean. If your asking why not R2-D2. They already make one.

https://store.sphero.com/products/r...MIxoTpvvvZ1gIVj4NpCh09owFFEAAYASAAEgLJiPD_BwE

Oh, that is what I was asking and I had no idea they already made one.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

Now they just need to make a walking talking C-3PO and I’ll be all over it.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Now they just need to make a walking talking C-3PO and I’ll be all over it.

No no I want Twiki!
“DiggyDiggyDiggy”


Aka Buck Rogers lil buddy!

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

No no I want Twiki!
“DiggyDiggyDiggy”


Aka Buck Rogers lil buddy!

Lol actually I would be all over that one too.

 

[phairphan]

Am I the only person who saw the thumbnail on the main page before reading the headline and thought, "So, Apple finally found a good use for all of those unsold Mac Pros?"

 

[blackcrayon]

No no I want Twiki!
“DiggyDiggyDiggy”


Aka Buck Rogers lil buddy!

I thought his name was "Twiggy" and the sound he made was "BiggyBiggyBiggy" lol.

And wasn't there a female Twiki in one episode that said "Boody Boody!" or something...

I guess robots wtih speech impediments isn't any more strange than star wars droids like R2 that couldn't have their software updated with a human speech capability.

 

[NightFox]

I can't help wondering if a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was a DroidRumors website where everyone got excited about the latest R2 version that had just been announced - the Q5, while owners of the several-versions-old obsolete D2 version had to make do with poor-quality holographic projection. At least the old D2 model had a computer interface arm that could connect to everything from vaporators to Death Stars, whereas the new Q5 needed an adaptor (sold separately) for just about everything.

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

Can anyone who owns one of these (or the R2-D2) confirm whether or not they will “patrol” without the app being open?

I have a Cosmo, but he only works when the iOS app is open and running in the foreground.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I thought his name was "Twiggy" and the sound he made was "BiggyBiggyBiggy" lol.

And wasn't there a female Twiki in one episode that said "Boody Boody!" or something...

I guess robots wtih speech impediments isn't any more strange than star wars droids like R2 that couldn't have their software updated with a human speech capability.

Yes there was an episode with the fool bot that brought in the word Booty (after all the show began in the late 70’s or heavily disco influenced). That’s when Twiki got some and Buck just grinned.

Twiki
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiki

Twiki in Love

Yeah THAT is a Robot I want and have dreamt since the mid 80’s after this show and when first robots or toys mimicking robots debuted with a silly remote.
[doublepost=1507402406][/doublepost]

Can anyone who owns one of these (or the R2-D2) confirm whether or not they will “patrol” without the app being open?

I have a Cosmo, but he only works when the iOS app is open and running in the foreground.

Curious does your iPhone go to sleep with the app running? I’m frustrated using AirPlay with YouTube or a movie synced with my phone stops playback when my phones screen goes to sleep on 30 seconds.