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MekaMon is an AR robot that you control using your smartphone

MekaMon is an AR robot that you control using your smartphone

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It can do backflips

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Reach Robotics

When it comes to gaming competition with friends, most of us grew up playing games like Pokémon, battling with friends through Game Boys and old link cables, and mostly using our imagination when the gameplay animation was still pretty basic. Fast-forward a few decades, and you can still battle friends, but the modes have expanded incredibly. The latest form is a gaming robot from Reach Robotics. Called MekaMon, the four-legged robots have AR capabilities that can be controlled by your smartphone.

The robots are upgradable and customizable with detachable legs, shields, and weapons. They feature four IR sensors, so the robot can measure distance and location and also accurately track and attack opponents. The robot can also flip on its back and stabilize rather quickly. Each robot weighs around 2.2 pounds, with a dimension of 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches. The toy connects to the smartphone app through Bluetooth, and other robots via infrared signals. The battery life is a bit limited, though: you’ll only get about one hour of play before it needs to be recharged.

Reach Robotics

MekaMon’s story is set in 2076 and follows Earth after an alien invasion, where humans are fighting back using the battle robots. There are options to play them in story mode, arcade mode, or battle with friends. “We’ve created an entirely new video gaming platform,” Silas Adekunle, CEO of Reach Robotics said in a statement. “Players can whip out their smartphone to battle their multi-functional, connected battlebots in the physical and virtual worlds at the same time.”

The robots are compatible with both iOS and Android devices, using the phones’ cameras and infrared sensors. You look through your phone’s screen to guide your robot and objects in the room like tables and chairs can be used to hide from attacks in the game. Reach Robotics says more add-ons will be available from MekaMon.com in the future. MekaMon is available in white and black models from Apple and MekaMon.com for £299.95.