After a seven year odyssey Nick Donaldson's "
Cheeky Monkey" was reborn
as the robotic toy "Dave the Funky Monkey". That adorable little shoulder buddy who
has captured the hearts of Nick's friends and family has now spread his hilarity
worldwide as 'Dave'. And, thanks to the innovative mechanism Nick desgned that
uses only two motors to bring him to life, he is inexpensive and accessible to all!
Dave represents a new class of interactive toys, wearable social robotics. The real
fun of the monkey is that not only can you play with the monkey, you can also use it as a puppet
to interact with other people and that never gets old! Nick should know, he's been to many
parties, weddings and other social events with the monkey on his shoulder and has
always got to meet everyone at the party...
Literally every time I wore the original Cheeky Monkey
out in public I had been mobbed with people loving his cute character and asking where
they could get one. This made me realize that he would make a great toy and had a very wide
appeal. I knew the four motors used in the original would be too expensive as a toy so I
designed two cam mechanisms, one to run both arms and one to run both head nod and head shake.
The result is an inexpensive and highly animated robotic toy that is fun for young and old!
Dave launched to a huge reaction, being tipped as the top
Christmas
toy for 2010 by
a number of sources inculding Hamleys.
and is alledgedly causing some panic buying... CNET
love him, he seems to be developing quite the following
and he's been featured on The BBC.
Even the Daily Telegraph
is predicting he'll sell out!
Dave in the Media:
There was even a Flash based website at www.davemonkey.com where you could play with Dave online using his remote
control. Sadly, Flash is no longer supported...!
A new Animal Planet version called 'Charlie the Capuchin Monkey' was available only at Toys'R'Us in the US. He ws basically the same,
only with brown fur and a new sneezing motion.
Brookstone also had a version of Dave, although this version did NOT come with the shoulder strap.
You could purchase a 'Dave the Funky Monkey' or 'Charlie the Capuchin Monkey' toy online:
Click on the thumbnails below for video:
