It's the time of year again where people start to think about the right gift for friends and family. If you're not too familiar with technology, finding the right gift for the technically-oriented family member is not easy, but we're here to help! According to the RobotReport's Everything Robotic Blog, these are some of "must have" R/C robots for the 2014 holiday season. A trend this year seems to be the increasing compatibility and use of smart phone technology. You can see a full range of suggested robots and devices for the holiday season on the RobotShop Gift Center. Use the navigation on the side of the page to sort based on the following sub-categories:
 WowWee MiP Robotic Companion |
The MiP Robotic Companion (White) is a multi-functional and autonomous robot equipped with GestureSense technology. Using its free app, you can drive it, play games & more all while MiP balances on two wheels. Perched atop unique dual wheels, powered by an iOS or Android smart-phone, your eyes will light up at what MiP can do, this is more than just a toy. |
 Hubsan X4 Mini QuadCopter |
The Hubsan X4 Mini QuadCopter has the latest 6-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity with 4 channels. It permits super stable flight. This quadcopter contain lightweight airframe with nice durability. Outstanding flying object for enjoy outdoor activity. It provides USB charging cable to allow charging by computer. Hubsan X4 Mini QuadCopter provide you 4 directional flying (left, right, forward and backward). There is also a version which sends live video back to your controller for FPV flying. |
 Parrot Jumping Sumo Robot |
The Parrot Jumping Sumo Robot (White) is a responsive rover with strong personality which rolls, rushes, zigzags, circles, takes turns at 90° and which, in a flash, jumps up to 80cm in height and length. Parrot Jumping Sumo is equipped with a wide angle camera that streams live immersive views on the piloting screen. You discover the world at the height of your Jumping Sumo and explore inaccessible areas. Jumping Sumo generates its own WiFi (AC) connection allowing for an automatic connection to your smartphone or tablet as soon as you enter the free FreeFlight 3 application (for iOS, Android, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones and tablets). Acrobatic tricks are available from the free app FreeFlight 3. |
 Zoomer Dino - Boomer |
Boomer is the incredible Zoomer Dino that only you can tame! With real dinosaur movements, sounds and incredible dino-sense abilities, Boomer can detect when you’re nearby and interacting with him. But watch out! Just like a real Dino he can get angry, spin around, chomp and roar! Using True Balance Technology™, Boomer perfectly balances on two wheels as he roams freely, exploring your home. Spin Master was also the creator of last year's top selling product: Zoomer Interactive Robot Dog. |
Aisoy1 Programmable Humanoid Robot V4
 Aisoy1 Programmable Humanoid Robot V4 |
The Aisoy1 Programmable Humanoid Robot V4 is one of the most affordable social robots for education in the world. Aisoy1 promotes "social intelligence" and creative thinking while helping you to learn how to code. Everyone can program an Aisoy1 with the included "Scratch" programming language. And if you need more functionality, you can use SDK in Python or C++. Top educators from over 30 schools nationwide, among others related areas as especial education are raving about Aisoy1’s natural ability to engage children and foster creative, social and emotional learning. |
 Zoomer Interactive Robot Dog |
The Zoomer Interactive Robot Dog is playful, funny and he’ll steal your heart in an instant. Just like a real dog you’ll need to teach him everything a puppy needs to know. Call his name, teach him lots of tricks and watch how excited he gets when you reward him with a real good belly scratch. Kids can run play and laugh as Zoomer excitedly wags his tail and responds to their commands. Zoomer is smart as a whip and can understand English, Spanish and French. He even follows your movement with his cute puppy eyes. Before you know it he’ll be laying down, rolling over, playing dead and more. When you adopt Zoomer into your home he can’t help but feel like a real part of the family. |
 Parrot Rolling Spider Robot |
The Parrot Rolling Spider Robot (White) is an ultra-compact drone controlled by smartphone. It flies indoors and outdoors with surprising speed and stability. It rips through the air, flips and thanks to its removable wheels, rolls from floor to ceiling. Rolling Spider's vertical camera enables you to take photos. You simply hit the 'photo' icon on piloting screen to take snapshots. The photos are saved in the Rolling Spider's memory which contains enough space for several hundred photos. Their resolution is 300,000 px. You recover your photos in FreeFlight 3 app: you transfer them from the Rolling Spider's internal memory to your piloting smartphone or tablet gallery. |
 Orbotix: Ollie |
Launch over the competition at floor-warping speeds. Spin, drift, and flip with app-powered tricks. Then switch up your ride with custom tires and hubcaps. Ollie is engineered for speed, programmed for tricks, and customized by you. Ollie rolls at speeds of up to 14 mph and connects instantly to your device via Bluetooth LE with a range of up to 100 feet. Turn on a dime with the included Nubby Tires or take them off to drift like a street racer. Powered by USB charging, Ollie glows in millions of colors and is ready to roll out. |
 LEGO Mindstorms EV3 |
The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 (US Version) is a programmable robotics construction set that gives you the power to build and program your own LEGO robots. The new LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set includes everything you need - motors, sensors, programmable intelligent brick, cables, remote control, and TECHNIC elements - to create robots that walk, talk, move and do whatever you want them to. Build your own robot and program it through the intuitive software program, the EV3 programmable brick or your smart device. |
WowWee MiP Robotic Companion
Hubsan X4 Mini QuadCopter
Parrot Jumping Sumo Robot
Zoomer Dino - Boomer
Aisoy1 Programmable Humanoid Robot V4
Zoomer Interactive Robot Dog
Parrot Rolling Spider Robot
Orbotix: Ollie
LEGO Mindstorms EV3