Decor & Lifestyle

Monday October 5, 2009

Here comes Dino

CONSIDERING that companies dread being called a dinosaur and in Pensonic's case, a lumbering one at that, Nelson Chew is adamant his family firm should be linked to such prehistoric monsters.

In particular, a baby dinosaur in rather fetching mottled green and brown hues.

Chew, 33, carries one whenever he goes. Naturally, his dinosaur is his pet and fits comfortably into his Louis Vuitton carryall, being the size of a small cat.

"Malaysian restaurants don't allow pets," says Chew sagely. "So I smuggled him into the restaurant for our interview today. I do hope we don't get caught!"

Chew places his dinosaur on our table in The Westin KL's The Living Room and proceeds to feed him with a rubber leaf. Heads turn as his pet dinosaur which is named Dino (Dino the dino, how original is that?) blinks its eyes open and gives a little grunt.

Nelson Chew and his pet dinosaur.-Pic by Kee Hua Chee

"He is happy to see you," says Dino's doting daddy without batting an eyelid nor explaining how he knows Dino's gender.

"Dino is not a fictitious hybrid but a realistic, real life rendition of a one-week old Camarasaurus which is just about the cutest dino baby possible," adds Chew, the marketing manager of Pensonic (which is founded 27 years ago by his father Datuk Seri Chew Weng Khak).

Witness the birth

A product shot of Pleo

Selling under the generic name Pleo and exclusive to Pensonic, this robotic charmer represents the height of robotronics.

"The fun begins as you, the owner, witness Pleo's birth," explains Chew. "Each Pleo is unique and is considered ‘hatched' when you switch it on for the first time. Pleo behaves like any newborn hatchling. It blinks at the light, tentatively moves its limbs and you are supposed to say soothing words to your new baby.

"You do what you would to a real puppy or kitten," adds Chew. "You scratch Pleo's chin. It honks a soft greeting. That's when the individuality begins."

Apparently every Pleo is unique and one of a kind!

"Yes, technology has advanced far enough to make Pleo lifelike but without the tedium of toilet training!" says Chew with a grin.

"Pleo doesn't do as he is told. My Dino has slowly developed his own personality, moods and habits, all shaped by the time he spent with me. Each Pleo evolves its own emotions but is naturally alert and inquisitive," explains Chew.

"Leave a sociable Pleo alone too long and he makes a pleading call like a dog's whimper. It hangs it head and droops its tail. You don't need to be a vet to know what Pleo is trying to say. It can act surprised, scared or annoyed. If you shine a torchlight at its face, it reacts to the light. Each Pleo reacts differently, just like how no two puppies are identical, even if they are from the same breed.

"Dino even stomps his little foot!" enthuses Chew. "Coupled with his wide repertoire of sounds, gestures and animations, I had a fantastic time forming his personality. I am particularly proud because like a human child, Dino's character is influenced by me! How I play, react and spend time with him made him what he is today."

Gizmo wonder

If you can get your Pleo to have a tug of war with you using the rubber leaf as rope, then pat yourself on the back.

"This means you have surpassed the basic level and turned him into a smart alecky creature! In his excitement, my Dino even lets loose with a few hoots and honks! When I scratch Dino from head to tail, he will blissfully arch his back and wag its tail. Dino changes his mood just like we do."

Amber Chia with her Pleo after the official launch of the robotic pet in Kuala Lumpur last year.

Chew's advice is to mould Pleo's disposition to match yours. Apart from opening and closing, Pleo's blue eyes look unnervingly real and watchful as they blink, narrow and gleam.

"I use the term ‘he' for Pleo because my Dino is a boy but you can just as easily treat your Pleo as a girl," says Chew.

It is impossible to resist your Pleo once you begin to raise him/her.

"One of my friends has trained her Pleo to wait for her outside the bathroom," says Chew. "I asked why she doesn't let her Pleo inside the bathroom and she says she doesn't want her pet to see her naked! I have trained Dino to sit on my lap in the office when I work. He knows how to adjust himself so he doesn't fall off my lap and looks up at me now and then as if to remind me of his existence and get a pat!

"My friend has a Chihuahua, a real living canine, which has taken to Pleo and acts as his protector! It is fascinating to see them play together – I always wonder who thinks the other is man-made!"

Pleo can also be peacemaker. "A family friend has three pre-teens who were always getting into each other's hair and squabbling. He gave them each a Pleo and now peace and harmony reign supreme in their house!"

Pleo is ideal for small, confined condominiums where pets are disallowed or if you don't have time to wash, groom, feed and play with a cat or dog. Or if you cannot handle cleaning their poo.

"Pleo is great if you are an allergy sufferer and cannot tolerate fur or hair. If you travel a lot and cannot bear to leave your pet behind, pack Pleo and take him along! Pleo easily becomes an interactive part of your family. You can really build an emotional bond with Pleo."

Mind you, Pleo costs the same as your pussy or pooch! At RM1,700 it is not a throwaway toy but should last over a decade, just like the real McCoy. For goodness sake, Pleo even comes with its own birth certificate!

Since its introduction into the Malaysian market last year, Pleo has found celebrity fans such as top model Amber Chia, actor Alan Yun and chef Ismail Ahmad.

Guys who consider his friend who a own dog or cat as wuss should find no problem accepting Pleo. It's a bonus if you're into gadgetry stuff, as Pleo looks like a normal toy but is advanced in its technology.

A robotic system operates under Pleo's rubbery skin. A rechargeable battery runs the 1,800 components operating the 14 motors, 15 micro-processors and sub-processors, 100 gears, 40 complex sensors, two microphones, speakers and infrared camera-based vision so the darling can navigate on its own four legs!

Pleo is available at Borders bookstores and Pensonic showrooms in Malaysia. Alternately, you can order online at www.pensonic.com.