Ugobe announces Pleo delay, cut in production by 50%

Bad news for the cuddly adorable dino-robot hopeful in the audience, Ugobe is announcing yet another Pleo delay today, this time due to a battery issue. Not only will Pleo hatch another month late (from October into late November), Ugobe is also estimating some 50% drop in the initially planned population of Pleos, thanks to the current design's internal battery temperature safety cutoff, which has the undesirable side effect of preventing a full charge. Ugobe is moving the battery charging off-board in order to ensure owners expecting an hour of Pleo play time won't wind up with 30 or 45 minutes, but this comes at the expense of time and killing off half the initial Pleo population. Fortunately, those who pre-ordered Pleos should be in the clear getting their dinobot, but the holiday scarcity issue is a little scary for the rest of us who didn't account for the possibility of yet another jacked-up eBay Christmas.

[mickeymoo @ Sep 11th 2007 10:07AM]

they might want to work on the feet while they're at it - had the chance to play with a pre-production model for a weekend recently, and it's a pretty boring toy. Slides around on the table trying to walk (this is after the "growth cycle" ) doesn't handle carpet well either. It is cute, i'll give it that much - but the paint wore off the petting areas in a few days - and frankly it just doesn't have that much play value for a toy it's price. I can see it being left on a shelf to gather dust by New Years by most people who get one for Christmas

[amjoie @ Sep 11th 2007 12:11PM]

I think you might be better off with a shooter game, if you only like life in the fast lane. But if you are into cutting edge technology and AI (not to mention robots), Pleo is right up your alley.

Paint wearing off a pre-production prototype model is not a predictor of the paint's actual wear, once manufactured. A beta is never the same as the final product. I don't know why this needed mentioning.

I've seen plenty of videos showing Pleo walking on smooth surfaces, and he picked up his feet just fine, without sliding. Maybe you saw an early rather than later prototype.

Also, Pleo needs time to "learn" things. If he wasn't walking around much during his initial growth cycle, that prototype may still be learning how to walk.

"Boring" is in the mind of the beholder. I could never be bored with an AI critter. They change each day. And I could never be bored with a creature who interacts with me, and constantly learns.

Plus, don't forget that Pleo owners with programming ability will be able to do some of their own programming modifications. Hardly boring.

[tchiseen @ Sep 11th 2007 10:08AM]

Does this remind anyone of tickle me elmo? What's that they say, those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it?

[skyshard @ Sep 11th 2007 10:13AM]

The email I just got says they made the batteries replaceable too:

FAQS
Q: How does the external battery and charger work with Pleo?
A: The battery goes in the same place in Pleo as before (his belly), except that now it is designed to be removed easily and frequently. Once removed, the battery is charged in the external charger, then placed back in Pleo once fully charged.

Q: Why did you change to the external charger design?
A: As we neared production, we encountered some difficulties with Pleos charging consistently. Combined with the input you have given us about wanting multiple batteries that were easy to remove and charge, we decided that solving our charging problems and answering the call for an external charger was paramount.

Q: Why are you delaying shipment?
A: In pre-production testing we encountered problems getting Pleo to charge correctly. Implementing design
changes to resolve the charging issue has led to the delay. We're working hard to make sure everyone who has
ordered a Pleo will receive one by Christmas time.

Q: What do you mean when you say that Pleo will arrive "by the holidays"?
A: Integrating the necessary changes into the Pleo design has pushed back production, and we are unable to
ship Pleo in October as planned. However, you will receive your Pleo by Christmas time.
We felt it was best to let you know of the delay as soon as possible.

Q. Can I still order a Pleo and receive it before Christmas?
A: After the success with pre-orders, UGOBE.com has completely sold out of Pleos, however our retail partners still have Pleo allocations available.

[mickeymoo @ Sep 11th 2007 10:15AM]

Actually - it reminded me more of the Teddy Ruxpin. The gears are SUPER noisy - the tail wag is pretty silent and fluid - but when it walks it sounds like silverware in the garbage disposal.

[amjoie @ Sep 11th 2007 12:11PM]

That is NOT what other people with "hands on" experience with Pleo have said. They have reported Pleo is remarkably quiet.

I don't know you. But I do know people who have seen Pleo "in the flesh" and love him. They report lifelike smooth movement and quiet operation. I choose to believe them.

[mickeymoo @ Sep 11th 2007 12:32PM]

The version I spent a weekend with may well have been from an early production run, so hopefully the one you mention may have a more refined user experience. The documentation that accompanied him/her/it looked like a very finished product, however, and I am told he came in retail packaging. We did follow the growth cycle instructions to a T, and he was not abused or mistreated so we assumed he was in fully grown mode. The battery warmth issue was also noted - so I am happy to hear that is being revised. I am not a gamer - i'm not fond of twitchy things in general. All I can say is that for 349.00 as interesting as the product may be from an AI standpoint - meh.

[mickeymoo @ Sep 11th 2007 12:40PM]

PS: No, you don't know me, how could you? I don't work in the marketing department at UGobe, though I suspect you do

[Bad Beaver @ Sep 11th 2007 11:19AM]

Someone finally put this thing out of its misery, please?!

[Fastman @ Sep 11th 2007 12:53PM]

Excellent news on production cut! Now I will make even more money on ebay before the holidays!

[Goldilocks @ Sep 11th 2007 2:26PM]

While Pleo sure is adorable, I imagine it is quite boring after a short while. And for the price I paid (free! Christmas gift!) for a Furby I hardly activate anymore, I imagine spending the money on a Pleo would be even worse of an investment.

[JP23 @ Sep 11th 2007 2:58PM]

Lead count too high?

[morte100 @ Sep 11th 2007 7:29PM]

Seriously though, will it blend?

[TL @ Sep 13th 2007 2:43AM]

I'm happy about the switch to a replaceable battery. It not only makes Pleo more useful but should save UGOBE and their customers some support hassles if the battery craps out.

And the delay to the launch will probably give it better holiday PR timing.

Even then, if it doesn't deliver, there might not be a market for the second run.


> will it blend?

After the last Pleo post here, this page...

http://pleohq.com/faq/will-it-blend/

...was temporarily the most visited on my site.

Can't wait to find out.

TL

[Andir3.0 @ Sep 11th 2007 7:32PM]

I want a toy dinosaur that craps out his old batteries and you feed him new fresh batteries!