WowWee CHiP Robot Dog — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | WowWee |
|---|---|
| Model | CHiP Robot Dog |
| Year | 2016 |
| Category | Entertainment |
| Autonomy | semi-autonomous |
| Environment | indoor |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 26cm L × 10cm W × 18cm H |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Works with | iOS, Android |
| Rating | 3.9/5 (2847 reviews) |
| Country of origin | CN |
Key features
- DISCONTINUED 2018 — secondary market only
- SmartBand wristband owner-following
- Ball fetch interaction
- LED emotional eye expressions
- WowWee — Robosapien creator
- Wheeled companion robot dog
- Consumer companion at $200 price point (when sold)
WowWee CHiP was a companion robot dog with owner-following SmartBand, discontinued 2018. Secondary market only.
FAQ
What is the WowWee CHiP used for?
CHiP (Canine Home Intelligence Pet) is a companion robot dog designed for autonomous interaction in the home — it follows its owner using the SmartBand wristband's Bluetooth signal, plays fetch with its SmartBall, responds to commands, and docks itself for charging autonomously. It was designed to provide pet-like companionship with zero maintenance burden.
Is the WowWee CHiP still available?
CHiP was discontinued by WowWee in approximately 2018. It is available on secondary markets including Amazon and eBay, where pricing varies by condition. The original retail price was approximately $199. The WowWee companion app that provided full functionality may have reduced functionality on current iOS/Android versions.
What made the WowWee CHiP unique at launch?
CHiP was notable for combining three capabilities in one consumer robot dog: owner-following via Bluetooth SmartBand tracking (unprecedented at its price), autonomous self-docking for charging, and SmartBall fetch interaction. Together these created a convincingly autonomous pet-like companion experience that no comparable product under $200 had achieved at its 2016 launch.
Who is the WowWee CHiP designed for?
CHiP was designed for adults and older children wanting a pet robot companion without the maintenance requirements of a live animal — families in no-pet housing, people with pet allergies, and older adults wanting companionship. It was also positioned as a premium gift for technology enthusiasts interested in consumer robotics.
How does the WowWee CHiP compare to the Sony Aibo?
CHiP ($199 original, now secondary market) and Sony Aibo ($2,900+) both offer robot dog companionship, but at fundamentally different capability and price levels. Aibo has significantly more advanced AI, movement, emotional modelling, and cloud connectivity. CHiP's SmartBand owner-following and autonomous charging were genuine innovations at consumer price; Aibo offers a deeper, more sophisticated companion experience for users willing to invest twelve times the price.