Okay, so you can’t buy the NAO Next Gen unless you’re a school or university researcher, but it’s just too cool to leave off of this list. Developed by Paris-based Aldebaran Robotics, the robot recognizes both faces and voices using two built-in cameras and vocal recognition software. It can even play catch with you, using its prehensile fingers to grasp a ball. Its main uses? Helping students learn about robotics and researchers study human-machine interaction. That doesn’t mean you can’t fake your way into purchasing one for fun, provided you have a whole lot of spare cash lying around.
Price: $16,000-$18,000
Programming Skills Required: Extensive