WowWee CHiP — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | WowWee |
|---|---|
| Model | CHiP |
| Year | 2016 |
| Category | Entertainment |
| Autonomy | semi-autonomous |
| Environment | indoor |
| Price (USD) | $149–$199 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WowWee App |
| Country of origin | CA |
Key features
- Smart Ball fetch interaction (infrared)
- Self-charging via SmartBed
- Learns owner face and WowBand signal
- Gesture and app control
- Expressive emotional behaviour design
- Obstacle detection and avoidance
- Consumer robot dog companion at $179
What is it?
CHiP (Canine Home Intelligent Pet) is WowWee's consumer robot dog, designed to act as a pet companion through ball play, responsive behaviour, and app-connected interaction.
Who is it for?
Families and individuals wanting a pet-like robot companion. Children who cannot have a real dog (allergies, apartment restrictions). Technology enthusiasts interested in social robot behaviour at a consumer price. Collectors of robot pets.
Key specs
- Sensors: Infrared, proximity, touch, tilt
- Ball interaction: Smart Ball (infrared) for fetch play
- Control: App + gesture
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (WowBand wristband optional)
- Charging: Self-charging (returns to SmartBed)
- Battery: ~1 hour active play
- Price: ~$179
- Origin: Canada
Social behaviour design
CHiP exhibits expressive robot pet behaviours including happiness, excitement, and tiredness based on interaction patterns. It learns a primary owner's face and WowBand signal, preferentially responding to its owner. The SmartBed charging station is part of the ownership experience — CHiP returns to bed when tired.
Limitations
- App support limited on newer OS versions (WowWee legacy product)
- Less interactive than Sony Aibo (more advanced AI)
- Battery life limits continuous play sessions
- Discontinued — secondary market only
FAQ
Can CHiP play fetch?
Yes. CHiP uses an infrared-equipped Smart Ball to play fetch — detecting the ball's position and rolling to retrieve it, simulating dog fetch behaviour.
Does CHiP self-charge?
Yes. When CHiP's battery is low, it autonomously returns to its SmartBed charging station, similar to a Roomba returning to its dock or a real dog going to its bed.
Is CHiP still available?
CHiP has been discontinued by WowWee and is available on secondary markets. Sony Aibo is the premium current-generation robot dog companion.
Does CHiP recognise its owner?
CHiP can learn to recognise its primary owner through the WowBand wristband signal and basic facial pattern recognition, showing preferential responsive behaviour toward its owner.
How does CHiP compare to Sony Aibo?
Sony Aibo ($2,899) uses far more sophisticated AI, has a full articulated dog body, cloud connectivity, and learns over months of interaction. CHiP at $179 provides basic robot dog companionship without Aibo's advanced AI or mobility.