Playful Anki toy robots might be resurrected by new owners

The toy robot company Anki shuttered in April 2019, and so did its handheld robot, Vector. That’s some 1.5 million little defunct robots, which must connect to the web to update.

But now you, yes you, can now help resurrect, and potentially improve, Vector’s software. On Saturday, the tech company Digital Dream Labs announced it had purchased Anki and would be taking over a Kickstarter campaign to move Vector forward, digitally.

“I wanted to let you know that we have purchased Anki’s assets and intend to restore the entire platform and continue to develop the robot we all know and love, Vector!,” wrote Dream Labs CEO  Jacob Hanchar.

Digital Dream Labs plans to use over $1.8 million in Kickstarter money to open Vector’s code up for users to customize (perhaps to give their robot a unique personality) and to ensure Vector’s code lives on, even if the company goes under… again.

Anki’s original robot dreams were derailed by a lack of mainstream interest. The company ran out of money, according to Recode.

Now, Anki’s new owners are relying on crowdsourced money to keep Vector’s digital mind alive. If the plan works, the tiny, tractor-like toy robots might come back to life.