WowWee Robosapien V2 — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | WowWee |
|---|---|
| Model | Robosapien V2 |
| Year | 2004 |
| Category | Entertainment |
| Autonomy | remote-controlled |
| Environment | indoor |
| Connectivity | Infrared Remote |
| Country of origin | CA |
Key features
- 58cm biomorphic humanoid design
- Designed by NASA roboticist Mark Tilden
- 67 pre-programmed movement functions
- Colour vision + sound detection sensors
- Object grasping and throwing capability
- Launched in 2004 — iconic consumer robot design
- Defined the toy humanoid robot category
What is it?
Robosapien V2 is a 58cm biomorphic humanoid toy robot with fluid biomechanical movement, designed by NASA roboticist Mark Tilden. It uses infrared remote control, has built-in vision and sound sensors, and can pick up, hold, and throw objects.
Who is it for?
This listing serves as historical reference for the Geppetto directory — Robosapien V2 is discontinued and available only on the secondary market. It is significant as one of the most influential consumer robot designs in history. Collectors and nostalgia buyers are the current market.
Key specs
- Height: 58 cm
- Functions: 67 pre-programmed movements
- Control: Infrared remote control
- Sensors: Colour vision (camera), sound detection, touch sensors
- Dexterity: Can grasp and throw objects
- Designer: Mark Tilden (formerly NASA JPL)
- Launch: 2004 (original V2 launch)
- Status: Discontinued
- Origin: Canada
Historical significance
Robosapien (2004) and V2 (2005) demonstrated that a consumer-grade humanoid robot could be manufactured at sub-$100/$150 price points. Mark Tilden's biomorphic BEAM robotics approach produced fluid, organic-looking movement that distinguished it from rigid toy robots of the era. The Robosapien franchise influenced an entire generation of toy robot design.
Limitations
- Discontinued — secondary market only
- Infrared-only control (no Bluetooth/Wi-Fi)
- Limited programmability beyond built-in functions
- Vision sensor very basic by modern standards
FAQ
Who designed Robosapien?
Robosapien was designed by Mark Tilden, a roboticist formerly of Los Alamos National Laboratory and NASA JPL, known for developing BEAM (Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics) robotics principles that produce biomimetic movement.
Is Robosapien V2 still available?
Robosapien V2 is discontinued and only available on secondary markets (eBay, collector sites). WowWee no longer manufactures it.
What is the difference between Robosapien V1 and V2?
V2 (2005) is larger (58cm vs 33cm), has a colour vision camera, sound detection, improved grip dexterity, and more pre-programmed functions than the original V1 (2004).
What is BEAM robotics?
BEAM (Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics) is a robotics design philosophy developed by Mark Tilden that mimics biological movement patterns using analogue circuits rather than digital microcontrollers, producing fluid organic motion.
Can Robosapien V2 be programmed?
Robosapien V2 can record and replay movement sequences via the remote control in a basic macro recording mode. It does not have a computer programming interface for custom code.