Meccanoid G15 KS programmable robot launched at CES 2015

Canadian toy company Spin Master unveiled the Meccanoid G15 KS robot at CES this year, and it's been attracting quite the crowd. At four feet tall and walking and talking, you can't miss it. Built with Meccano parts and the open-source Robotic Building platform, the robot targets children ages five to 14.

Meccanoid dino.

By featuring three programming options, Learned Intelligent Movement (LIM), an avatar-controlled via app, and motion capture, the robot is easy to program and personalize. It has a computing engine called a “Mecca Brain” which gives it speaking abilities and a voice recognition system that allows it to say thousands of phrases, tell jokes, play games, and initiative conversations. The 550 components in the building kit are enough to create two humanoid designs and a third robotic dinosaur design.

Check out the video of the Meccanoid robots on display at CES 2015 below.

The Meccanoid robot kit is scheduled for retail release this fall with a price tag of $399. The kit will be available through major retailers and hobby and electronic shops. According to Spin Master, it will hold an online pre-sale in mid-February.

Currently the company is working with top schools and universities such as the USC Engineering and Robotics Research Lab to make its line compatible with STEM initiatives, and to support the developments of future pioneers.