Robot gifts for Christmas 2026: which home robots arrive in time?
Of the home robots we checked at their makers' US stores, only Loona Petbot ($429) states delivery before Christmas for a 15 November order. Prices read on 27 October 2026.
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Ideas worth a closer look.
Original explainers, practical buying guides and field notes on the machines becoming part of our world.
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EMO vs Eilik: which desk robot should you buy?
EMO costs $279 and adds a camera, voice answers and sound tracking. Eilik costs $139.99, plays by touch and works offline. Prices read on 17 October 2026.
Check on your pet from work with a camera robot
A moving camera lets you find, see and talk to your pet while you are out. Enabot's three models cost $169 to $999; here is how to choose and set one up.
How much does a robot dog cost?
From $299.99 for a programmable kit to $4,650 for a Unitree As2 Pro, with Spot, ANYmal and the As2-W sold by quote. Prices read on 17 October 2026.
Robotics news: MoveIt, Isaac ROS and the September software shift
A proposed acquisition and new ROS releases change the questions robot builders should ask about their software stack.
After IFA 2026: which robot belongs on your shortlist?
Roborock's new floor cleaner and Pudu's European D7 debut show two different routes from an exhibition to a useful machine.
Ask for the right replacement part for your robot
Build a useful support request before buying a part that only looks compatible.
Keep a robot software record before an update
A practical record of versions, settings and a repeatable task, with recovery questions to settle before changing a working setup.
Measure the space a robot dock needs to work
Check arrival, maintenance and daily movement before choosing a place for a cleaning robot station.
Robot vacuum arms and mobile platforms: what can they actually do?
Saros Z70 and SwitchBot K20+ Pro take different approaches to extra household tasks. Compare the action, the accessory and the work still left to you.
Mirumi vs Petit Qoobo: choose the interaction you want
A bag companion, a small cushion and the original Qoobo invite different kinds of attention. Here is how to choose without mistaking movement for conversation.
Who is actually controlling your robot?
A practical way to separate autonomous tasks, remote assistance and local control before you believe a demonstration or place an order.
Your first robot: a companion or a kit?
Choose between a finished robot pet and a programmable platform by looking at the experience you want after the first week.
What a robot really costs in year one
Build a complete ownership budget around the exact edition, delivered price, required equipment and ongoing services.
Simulation, training and inference: three different jobs
Follow a robot behavior from a virtual world to a running controller, using Microduck and programmable pets as concrete examples.
Print a useful robot part, starting with fit
A measured workflow for camera mounts, cases and setup tools, from an editable model to a documented physical prototype.
Buy robot parts that work together
Build a short, compatible shopping list around one working project instead of collecting impressive components without a plan.
Ask for the next ten attempts
A field method for turning an impressive robot video into useful evidence before you buy.
Map the data before you pair the robot
A practical worksheet for cameras, microphones, cloud features and the people sharing your home.
Choose the first spool for the room it will live in
PLA, PETG and ASA answer different questions. Start with the part's environment, then check your printer.
A GitHub link is only the beginning
Check whether a robot's software access reaches the exact behaviour you want to build.
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