Loomo is a Segway that with a touch of a button transforms into your robot sidekick

Move over, Michael Bay, because there’s a new transforming robot in town – and one we actually want to spend time with. Loomo ($1299) is a self-balancing transporter (as in, a Segway) that with a touch of a button turns into a robot companion. It’s packed full of kit – 1080p camera; 5-mic array; infrared and ultrasonic sensors; 3-axis gimbal. This means it’s suitable for all manner of tasks – shooting super-smooth video; going and talking to people when you can’t be bothered yourself; following you about like a lost puppy – all while looking like Johnny 5 if he’d had his arms hacked off by a lunatic. Loomo’s programmable and will get new skills via OTA updates, too. Just don’t let him watch Terminator after a day of repeatedly giving annoying humans endless piggyback rides.

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.