Who would have thought? A grown man sitting at his desk playing peek-a-boo with a pint-sized interactive robot.

But I have a confession to make – I’m addicted to this adorable little fun-seeker.

Cozmo is my new best friend.

Released by Anki in the US last year, this diminutive gizmo is now available in Australia – and while it’s recommended for ages 8+, it’s certain to become a hit with the whole family.

Cozmo is fun right out of the box, but that's just the beginning. His abilities and skills develop the more you play with him.

But first, he needs charging. This takes around 30 minutes and will deliver about 90 minutes of play time. The pack includes a charging dock, where Cozmo goes to get power and to sleep.

You also need to connect Cozmo to its accompanying app – available for both iOS and Android. This can be a frustrating process – particularly for younger users.

When you upload the app it connects with Cozmo through its own Wi-Fi – and your Cozmo must be in the charging dock for it to connect.

Cozmo fits in the palm of your hand and is light to pick up. It’s also well-built and sturdy (surviving several falls off my desk).

He has treads like a tank and arms like a backhoe. His wide blue square eyes are friendly and childlike.

Interacting with Cozmo

A little camera on Cozmo's face helps him recognize his environment.

And once you meet him Cozmo will never forget your name. He will learn to recognise your face – and will always remember your name.

In fact, he can recognise up to 12 different faces after watching each person for just a few seconds – and when he sees you again he will repeat your name in cute “robot” speak.

Cozmo can also tell the difference between humans and pets – he’ll let you know when he spots the family cat or dog.

You can teach Cozmo new words too – though his language can be somewhat garbled.

This little companion bot has a big brain and even bigger personality.

But be warned: he gets angry quite a lot. If you pick him up for too long or shake him – he’ll let you know it. Also, he doesn't like being pushed over and gets very impatient when there’s no play time.

Interacting with this charismatic little character is endless fun.

He loves singing, playing peek-a-boo and fist bump. Try putting him on his backpack and you’ll see him flip over. Cozmo also “sneezes" and gets the hiccups. Very cute. 

And he loves playing with his Power Cubes – rolling, stacking, building pyramids and knocking them over.

Cozmo comes with three power cubes that will keep you entertained for hours playing games like Quick Tap, KeepAway and MemoryMatch.

Learn how to code

When you play with Cozmo you can progress to optimum levels. Do enough things with him and you will earn points which can be traded in for new upgrades and the like.

And Cozmo is not just a toy – it’s also a device that can help users learn how to code.

After your child has played with Cozmo for a little while, they can learn about programming, using the app's Code Lab feature.

It's a simple, intuitive interface that allows you to link up a number of blocks together and “code” Cozmo to do a number of things.

Using MIT's Scratch programming language, Code Lab features a drag-and-drop system in which you line up action-based blocks to control the robot. It's a simple language that's easy for adults and will give kids many hours of fun experimenting with new sequences.

Major leap forward in children’s toys

Cozmo is one of the most sophisticated consumer robots available today. Developed by a team of PhD roboticists, world-class animators, and renowned game developers, Cozmo represents a major leap forward in the future of play at the intersection of film, toys, videogames and robotics.

Thisis a real-life robot like you've only seen in movies.

He’s curiously smart, a little mischievous, and unlike anything ever created. He'll nudge you to play and keep you constantly surprised.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Anki's Cozmo (RRP$319.99) is one of the cutest (and most playful) toys I've seen. This cute little guy is not just for kids – adults will love him too.

It’s an intelligent and entertaining toy guaranteed to provide hours of fun for the whole family.

As a bonus, the robot can teach some very basic coding concepts, which is also a big plus for young kids keen to learn more about tech.

But to use it, children must have access to a mobile device. If not, be prepared to lend them yours on a regular basis.

At $319 it’s not a cheap toy, but with regular free software updates it’s well worth the outlay.

OUR VERDICT

POSITIVES

• Cozmo delivers hours of fun
• He’s a cute and loyal companion for young and old
• Cozmo takes children’s toys to another level
• It’s a great way to teach basic coding

NEGATIVES

• Setup can be frustrating
• It requires constant Wi-Fi
• The price may be beyond the reach of those on a budget

Cozmo is available online and at JB Hi Fi stores and through Australian Geographic.

www.anki.com