Tencent unveils Weibao app-enabled robot ball

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2015-08-30

An ad for the Weibao robot ball. (Internet photo)

The Weibao available in different
colors. (Internet photo)

Chinese tech giant Tencent has unveiled its first smart hardware product, Weibao. The robotic ball is controlled by a smartphone app and can interact with users through games, reports Tencent's tech news web portal.

Weighing 180 grams, Weibao is in the shape of a ball 7.35cm in diameter. The hardware is provided by US company Sphero and is made of a single piece of material, making it waterproof. Users are able to connect to Weibao through apps on a smartphone and Bluetooth wireless technology.

The design team developed a localized story for Weibao, which is integrated into the app Weibao Adventure for users to play with different modes including control, task and multi-user.

The new device glows with various shades of color from its built-in LEDs and is charged through wireless technology, allowing users ease of use and mobility.

Those interested can register to "experience" the device, which is not yet ready to go on general sale, according to the Weibao team.