Qoobo, the weird cat robot, is just a wagging tail

Qoobo may be the perfect cat. 

It's soft, responsive, and will never scratch, dismiss, or leave you. It's also a robot.

Qoobo, which was unveiled this week by Yukai Engineering Co., Ltd. at the CEATAC trade show in Japan is only marginally a cat. Its wagging feline tail is attached to a 2-pound ball of fur. There's no purring face, no head or whiskers, no legs, feet, or claws. The name is a combination of the French word for "tail" and "robot."

The plush toy rests in your lap (what choices does it have?) and responds when you pet it. Different types of strokes or pats will generate different, yet, fairly realistic, tail wags and haptic responses. In addition to the tail movement, the round, cushion body can deliver a vibration response.  Read more...