Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

One of my daughters has been asking for a Pleo since it was featured in Wired magazine last January. I am still reluctant to shell out $350 USD for a "toy," but it is tempting (I am interested in playing with Pleo too).

So, when I recently stumbled across this video of a couple of guys torturing a Pleo (linked via BoingBoing), I was very interested (in seeing how sophisticated the responses were).

Pleo wiggles and yelps when held upside down by the tail, and even makes a choking noise when . . . choked. All in all though, the "torture" was pretty minor (these guys obviously did not want to destroy it), and Pleo handled it pretty well. Though, when that particular Pleo grows up (which they do, they go through stages of "development") it might be a bit maladjusted.

I am still not sure about springing for one, but it sure is impressive how far robotics has come, given the fact that I can buy a "toy" that responds so well you can actually "mistreat" it and get somewhat expected responses.