Background

The Anki Vector is a palm sized smart robot companion that was released on October 13, 2018 and typically sells for $100-$500 these days. He has the ability to recognize faces, detect objects, and complete voice commands all while retaining a loveable personality. Designed as a personal assistant and friend, Vector hosts a wide variety of sensors which, when coupled with his advanced AI, allow him to be a useful and valuable companion to everyday life.

Additionally, when given network access, Vector can be quick to answer questions and perform important tasks. Vector is used through a companion smartphone app and has Amazon Alexa built in, allowing him to be connected to a home system.

Vector’s main body consists of a set of tracks run by two driving wheels each, a forklift like arm that can interact with his companion cube, a display which houses a camera and animated face, and a main ‘torso’ which houses the battery, control modules, and power button.

Vector is now owned by a company called Digital Dream Labs who have since required a monthly or yearly payment to use voice commands. However, as of January 2024, the Digital Dream Labs servers for Vector are shut down and instead you will have to use software called wire pod to get voice recognition (linked in additional information).

How to identify Vector

Vector can be differentiated from his earlier model, Cozmo, by its black color (opposed to Cozmo’s Orange/White, Blue/White, or Liquid Metal editions), and also includes a wider array of sensors.

The state of Vector

As of January 2024, Vector will not respond to voice commands as the servers for Vector are down at the moment and you will need to run a software called wire pod. The installation guide for wire pod is linked down below in additional information.

Additional Information

Wire Pod (With install guide)

Anki / Digital Dream Labs Vector Web Page

Anki Vector Web Page (Archive)

Wikipedia: Anki (company)

Vector Teardown Information