Buy 'Tomy Robot Toys' Online - Omnibot, Verbot, Chatbot and More
In the mid 1980's 'TOYS 'R' US' came to England bringing with them the 'Omnibot', the single most awesome thing I had ever laid eyes upon back in the day, and a toy that became the subject of numerous thinly veiled pre-christmas hints when asked what it was that I wanted for Christmas that year.
Tomy Robots
Tomy Robots
'Tomy' (known as 'Takara Tomy' in Japan) is a name synonymous with the production of ground-breaking toy robots, and it was the wares produced by this Japanese company that were laid out like futuristic exhibits within the glass cases of our newly opened Toys 'R' Us store to be coveted by every child who stood staring in, dreaming of owning their very own R2-D2 like robot buddy who could open up a can-of-whoop-ass upon a child's enemies, or at the very least, deliver them fizzy-drinks on a tray.
The original Tomy Omnibot
The Tomy i-SOBOT
Tomy Omnibot
The original Tomy Omnibot (pictured right) was not unlike the droids of popular Sci-Fi movies of the time, and was both bulky in size, and costly in price. With glowing red eyes hidden beneath the clear plastic dome that formed its head the Omnibot came complete with in-built digital clock, a cassette recorder for recording command sequences, and a special plastic tray that slotted into its claw like hands for the transportation of drinks and snacks, etc. that made it just about the coolest robot toy on the planet at the time.
The popularity of the original Tomy Omnibot led to a varied assortment of successors, including 'Omnibot 2000' who came with a functional right arm that could also be controlled by remote control and a tray that could be revolved for improved drink delivery. 'Omnibot OOM' (also known as 'Hearoid') that included a primitive voice-control function, and 'Omnibot Jr.' a smaller version of the Omnibot that was able to follow an ultra-sonic sound omitted by the controller and navigate itself towards it.
The most recent version (to date) of the Tomy Omnibot was released in 2006 and is called the 'i-SOBOT'. Equipped with 17 proprietary servo-motors the i-SOBOT can be controlled by an IR remote controller and also via voice commands. It is capable of speaking hundreds of words and phrases and has nearly 200 pre-programmed actions, plus allows extensive additional programming by the user, via the remote control and is a pretty advanced piece of kit for a toy.
Omnibot Commercial
Tomy Chatbot
Tomy Chatbot
However, due to the significant price tag associated with it I never did get my Omnibot, but I was lucky enough to find the next best thing wrapped up and waiting for me under the Christmas tree that year, the Tomy 'Chatbot'. The Tomy Chatbot was essentially the Omnibots smaller cousin, and whilst not as impressive in stature or functionality the Chatbot had many of the same features such as the in-built tape recorder and the serving tray, which made it one of my most treasured Christmas gifts ever.
Other popular Tomy robots include:
Tomy Talking Tutor Robot
Tomy Mr Money Robot Piggy Bank
Tomy Dingbot
Tomy Flipbot
Tomy Crackbot
Tomy Verbot
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