Two new robotics toy startups, both Carnegie Mellon University spinouts, are tooling away in Pittsburgh on the next generation of high-tech toys.
Interbots and Bossa Nova Concepts are working behind closed doors in Technology Collaborative spaces on Craig Street, developing family-friendly, emotive robots that they hope to unveil commercially within two years.
“The space we have on Craig is really critical to our success because of its close proximity to CMU,” explains Sarjoun Skaff, CTO of Bossa Nova. Internships through CMU offer students practical experience and help to channel potential new hires Bossa Nova’s way. “Pittsburgh (seed funding) has been really critical in putting in place all the pieces of the business.”
Bossa Nova got its start in 2005 and has completed development of a fascinating, funny toy with lifelike movements and self-balancing motion. BN is presently developing a manufacturing plan with the help of Skaff, a post-doctorate fellow at The Robotics Institute.
Interbots originated at CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center where it was a student-led research project before spinning off into a company in 2005. The company is presently developing a commercial toy product that conveys emotions, says Sabrina Haskell, Interbots software engineer.
Interbots started out specializing in the design of high-end “custom, interactive characters” that physically and virtually mingle with the public. Quasi, their first animatronic character, is quite the celebrity, having appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, and the Science and Discovery channels. His little sister, Moxi, was commissioned for the Science Centre Singapore where she chats and interacts with families.
“One of the strengths in Pittsburgh is the great organizations that are reaching out to young companies,” says Haskell. “There’s a lot of excitement about a Pittsburgh focus for robotic toys.”
Bossa Nova includes three principal, full-time employees and six staff on contract. The company is in the process of hiring an electronic control engineer. Interbots employs four ETC grads.
To read about another Pittsburgh company that has developed a robotic consumer product, Thorley Industries, click here.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Sarjoun Skaff, Bossa Nova Concepts, Sabrina Haskell, Interbots
Image courtesy of Interbots