Disclosure: I received a complementary ROMO in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for something to absolutely wow that geek in your life who has every gadget imaginable, you’ve come to the right place!  ROMO by Romotive is a pretty fantastic little robot that when paired with your iPhone or iPod will blow your mind!

Christmas came early for the hubby this year.  He’s never been more happy to review a product than his new ROMO robot.    Obviously cliche, he named his new little friend “Tony”, and he’s taken him to work with him daily.  For the first couple of days, I’m pretty sure he and his co-workers did not get anything done!

Apparently, my husband didn’t read the fine print.  Not that my kids will ever get a chance to play with him, but ROMO is built to teach kids the basics of computer programming and robotics through a series of adventurous challenges. Using an iPhone or iPod Touch as his brain, ROMO helps kids, ages 8 and up, get excited about science, technology, engineering, and math as soon as they can read.

No, remote controlled robots aren’t just for kids.  These people at his office are grown men and women.  (Careful around the ladies, though!  This little guy doesn’t want to be dubbed as “the skirt cam”!)

The ROMO base we have is for the iPhone 4 & 4S as well as the 4th gen iPod Touch.  He is very easy to setup.  Just connect your iPhone and install the ROMO Control App.

To control your ROMO using another device, simply install the “ROMO Control” app from the AppStore and connect both devices to the same WiFi network. The control app allows you to “drive” your ROMO while using the iPhone’s front camera as a viewing device. You can also take photos and express an array of predefined emotions.

ROMO App-Controlled Robotic Pet for iOS DevicesAndy is thoroughly enjoying completing the missions available on the app. These missions are designed to teach basic programming skills and enhance problem-solving abilities. Since Andy works in IT, he jokingly convinces himself that engaging with his little Tony ROMO is as much about work as it is about play. I’m really appreciative of having this option, because while I had managed to learn how to limit website access on the iPhone, I remained cautious about granting him unrestricted use.

What I think is really cool about Tony is that as different missions are completed, he will begin to recognize faces, differentiate between colors, learn his environment and so much more!   You can also create and share your own unique behaviors. I asked Andy if this little ROMO will basically become a companion when all of the missions are complete, and he said it should!  Who needs a wife, right?

If he’s not playing with him via his iPad or other device, he can leave Tony alone and he’ll move around on the floor and do his own thing while he’s not being played with.  Be careful though, my boys bother him, and they’ve made him mad several times!

If you have a iPhone 4S/5/5C/5S or 5th generation iPod Touch, you have the ability to use 2-way video conferencing and remote control.

ROMO’s features:

  • Your personal robot – ROMO has his own personality and will react to people and events around him
  • Train your ROMO – Complete programming missions to unlock new abilities and features
  • Learn as you play – Learn ROMO ‘s amazing story as you complete missions designed to teach the basics of computer programming
  • Object follow – ROMO can learn to magically follow certain objects – throw a brightly-colored ball and he’ll chase after it!
  • Face detection – ROMO can track and follow your face
  • Path tracking – ROMO can detect and follow tracks and paths that you create for him
  • Wi-Fi Control – Control ROMO using any iOS device over a Wi-Fi network
  • Telepresence – Control ROMO from anywhere in the world while streaming two-way video and audio

He’s totally infectious, and there have been several people from the office ask my husband for the link to buy ROMO for their kids, nephews, and themselves!

ROMO, $149, is currently available for iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPod touch (5th generation), iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (4th generation) at Brookstone, Brookstone.com and Romotive.com.  He is absolutely worth every penny.  I was really stressing over what to get the hubs for Christmas, but when this opportunity came up, I as so glad.  He loves it, and Tony brings out the kid in him!

Merry Christmas, y’all!