Apple-highlighted iOS toy Anki Drive gains new cars, tracks & race mode
Anki Drive, a lineup of iOS-compatible intelligent toy race cars which were originally exclusive at retail to Apple Stores, expanded on Wednesday with new cars, tracks, and an entirely new race mode.
Existing Anki Drive owners will be able to upgrade their cars with new artificial intelligence programming, making the robotic vehicles smarter than ever. The update also adds a new Race Mode to play sessions, allowing the first driver who reaches 15, 30 or 45 laps to win.
The new features can be accessed by updating the official Anki Drive app available in the iOS App Store. Version 2.2.0 features the new race game type, a "boost" support item for all cars, improved in-game setup, an in-game scoreboard and various bug fixes.
Two new tracks are also now a part of the Anki Drive collection, with Crossroads placing an intersection in the middle of the road designed as a sort of figure-eight, while Bottleneck sees the track narrow at certain points, allowing less space for the vehicles. Both tracks can be bought for $99 each, and preorders are available now.
Finally, the Anki Drive family has also gained two new vehicles: Corax, billed as the "ultimate warrior" with multiple weapon mount options, and Hadion, a "built for speed" vehicle that comes equipped with "Turbo Boost." Each vehicle runs $69.
While the new cars and tracks are available at Anki's website, the company said the products will also be available at "select retail stores" in the coming weeks, likely to include both Apple retail stores as well as Amazon. When they launched last fall, the products were initially exclusive to Apple's own retail stores for a limited window.
Apple was so impressed by Anki Drive that the company chose to showcase the product at last year's Worldwide Developers Conference. The company ran a demo that showed four tiny remotely controlled cars each communicating with an iOS device over Bluetooth Low Energy to drive around a miniature track.
The product eventually went on sale to the public last October at Apple's retail stores with a starter kit priced at $199.
What makes the toy set interesting is the autonomy of each car. With the AI handling steering, players can take control of the gas and fire imaginary guns, as well as special weapons like a tractor beam, at other racers. Shooting bullets and other weaponry is limited to a car's line-of-sight, while effects are played out as if in a video game.
For example, if one player is trailing and strikes a critical hit on the car ahead of it, lights will flash and the toy will come to a halt or slow down as if disabled. On the iOS device, sound effects play and the handset vibrates in reaction to the strike. A point system grants players power ups and access to special abilities that can be used in future races.
Existing Anki Drive owners will be able to upgrade their cars with new artificial intelligence programming, making the robotic vehicles smarter than ever. The update also adds a new Race Mode to play sessions, allowing the first driver who reaches 15, 30 or 45 laps to win.
The new features can be accessed by updating the official Anki Drive app available in the iOS App Store. Version 2.2.0 features the new race game type, a "boost" support item for all cars, improved in-game setup, an in-game scoreboard and various bug fixes.
Two new tracks are also now a part of the Anki Drive collection, with Crossroads placing an intersection in the middle of the road designed as a sort of figure-eight, while Bottleneck sees the track narrow at certain points, allowing less space for the vehicles. Both tracks can be bought for $99 each, and preorders are available now.
Finally, the Anki Drive family has also gained two new vehicles: Corax, billed as the "ultimate warrior" with multiple weapon mount options, and Hadion, a "built for speed" vehicle that comes equipped with "Turbo Boost." Each vehicle runs $69.
While the new cars and tracks are available at Anki's website, the company said the products will also be available at "select retail stores" in the coming weeks, likely to include both Apple retail stores as well as Amazon. When they launched last fall, the products were initially exclusive to Apple's own retail stores for a limited window.
Apple was so impressed by Anki Drive that the company chose to showcase the product at last year's Worldwide Developers Conference. The company ran a demo that showed four tiny remotely controlled cars each communicating with an iOS device over Bluetooth Low Energy to drive around a miniature track.
The product eventually went on sale to the public last October at Apple's retail stores with a starter kit priced at $199.
What makes the toy set interesting is the autonomy of each car. With the AI handling steering, players can take control of the gas and fire imaginary guns, as well as special weapons like a tractor beam, at other racers. Shooting bullets and other weaponry is limited to a car's line-of-sight, while effects are played out as if in a video game.
For example, if one player is trailing and strikes a critical hit on the car ahead of it, lights will flash and the toy will come to a halt or slow down as if disabled. On the iOS device, sound effects play and the handset vibrates in reaction to the strike. A point system grants players power ups and access to special abilities that can be used in future races.
Comments
People actually buy this? I'm stunned!
When the prices come down a bit these will make a super birthday present. They are very cool. Just a tad overpriced right now.
Looks boring and overpriced for what it does.
You're always so positive.
I wonder if Apple's real interest in this product was in the artificial intelligence aspect of it and not the 'play' aspect.
I call it like I see it. I'd rather buy a drone.
Ok cool then I should check it out. I'm right around the corner from Fifth Ave.
It looks cool but it is expensive for me. I want to test it out though.
I consider it a concept and will be interesting to see what people do in the future with such a setup. Use your imagination and create your own product to market. To many criticize others efforts while sitting on their butts doing nothing.
Looks boring and overpriced for what it does.
Agreed, looks like something that'll cost you $50 a go in reality.
Much like Scalectrix, it'll get boring quick.
I call it like I see it. I'd rather buy a drone.
Careful with that drone kid. You'll put yer eye out!
Having had a Parrot drone, those things also aren't worth the money. Break way too easily do not have precise control with iPad. $200 RC adapter improves things, better to start with a $30 Syma X1 which is super fun in a large indoor space or buy a more commercial drone designed for outdoor flight.
Those making negative comments on this product obviously have no first hand experience. Not only that, but they must not have a clue as to who Andreessen Horowitz are (look it up if you don't know). To be selected by them during 1st round of VC investments is a very high endorsement of Anki's business plan, their product, and their future.
No video does justice to this product or the fun and enjoyment it brings on the 1st, the 50th or the 100th time you play. You just have to experience it first hand.
I'd compare this to Sphero. Cool tech demo, not quite ready to compete with all the other entertainment options out there for the price.
I agree. Slot car racing has never held much interest for me and it seems that because of the speed of these little cars, the person driving is barely controlling the car anyway. It's mostly controlled by the software.