Here's some interesting new robots from Takara Toys, called "Walkiebits." They're shaped like little turtles, and while they don't offer a whole lot of robotic functionality, they will remember rythms tapped out o­n their shells and walk to that rhythm. They can also run, play melodies, and so forth.

Takara announced the ~5cm "Walkiebits" small turtle robots o­n June 21st. Sales will begin o­n June 24th, at 1,344 yen.

Walkiebits, with the "world's smallest class" (Takara) body, feature four modes: "Walk" in which the turtle shakes its rear as it makes sound, "Rhythm Mode" which will imitate learned rhythms as it walks, "Race Mode" in which the turtle runs, and "Sing Mode" where the turtle will play melodies with electronic sounds.

Put simply, "Walk," offers 8 different types of pattern depending o­n speed and sounds that are played. In Rhthym Mode, the turtle will walk in synchronization with a rhythm that is "clicked" o­n its shell with a finger. For example, clicking a 3-3-7 rhythm o­n the shell will cause the turtle to walk in a 3-3-7 rhythm. It will repeat remembered rhythms three times, and can store up to 15 clicks. Race Mode will randomly cycle between "quick pace" and "slow pace" 6 times, allowing users to have races with multiple Walkiebits to "see how far they go."

Six colors will be available: Orange, Mint, Pine, Melon, Peach, and Soda. Included with each is a pop-like multiuse storage case, though to be used as a candy case. The shell of the Walkiebit can be removed, so that users can enjoy themselves by making combinations such as "the shell is Orange, and the body is Soda."

[1]

Inspired by:
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0506/21/news096.html [2]

Press Release (PDF):
http://www.takaratoys.co.jp/company/pdf/050621.pdf [3]