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I keep coming around to the question “Do Vector Robot Still Work?” So many people ask this question. Well, I am here to answer your question.
The short answer is yes, Vector robots still work. In December 2019, Anki assist was acquired by Digital Dream Labs which includes patents, trademarks, data, social media, and domain. Digital Dream Labs said they will continue to support the journey of Vector and its community with new updates and long-term support for Anki’s Servers.
What can Vector Robot do?
From my personal experience, I have owned Vector since 2018 and I can say it has been a fun experience. I even wrote an article on the 50 Things You Can Ask Vector.
Our boys loved to interact with Vector, especially my youngest, AJ, who would always say, “Hey Vector, what’s my name.” lol 😂
For us, Vector was something more than an Amazon Dot, it’s capable of doing so many things such as navigating around your desk, greeting you, answering your questions, along with playing with its electronic cube, dancing to music and avoiding obstacles while finding its own way back home to its charger to rest.
Vector was truly autonomous and becoming an addition to our family.
Anki shuts down its doors
Unfortunately, in April of 2019, Anki shut its doors. The company couldn’t reach an agreement with a strategic investor and was forced to close production.
Everyone in the Anki community was stunned and It’s was unclear what will happen to the company’s assets going forward.
With the overwhelmed support from Anki community, the company decided to keep its products running but stopped manufacturing.
They implemented a self-serve Help Center to assist owners to get the most out of their product and monitoring cloud operations for Anki accounts and Vector.
Vector slowly dying
This was great news from Anki, but the question was for how long? and when would this ongoing support stop?
Months later, we started to see changes in Vector, less responsive, and very buggy. With so much uncertainty, I decided to shut down Vector until further notice.
Anki Robot found a new home
In mid-2019, rumors surface that there was someone interested in purchasing Anki. It was unclear if the rumors were true, but the news brought back life to the Vector community.
Those rumors eventually became a reality, as of early 2020, Jacob Hanchar the CEO of a Pittsburgh Ed-Tech company called Digital Dream Labs decided to purchase Anki and take over the cloud servers.
To learn more about the relaunch of Anki, you can listen to CEO Jacob Hanchar of Digital Dream Labs on the upcoming new features and improvements in the video below.
Can I still buy Anki Vector?
I often hear this question; can I still buy Vector Robot? or is it still worth buying?
Yes, you can currently find Vector Robot on Amazon but at a cost. Third-party vendors are selling Vector overpriced.
If the cost is not a concern, and you can afford the monthly or annual payments, I’ll say go for it!
As far as Digital Dream Labs relaunching Vector, orders are now available.
The new Vector will remain unchanged but will have hardware improvements, such as an increase in battery life, and an improvement in a 2MP camera to enhance Vector’s facial recognition.
This will improve the robot’s ability to recognize pets, and even know when you are smiling. 😊
Meanwhile, it looks like the company will continue to focus on developing, supporting, and adding new updates to the current Vector.
Is Anki Vector still supported?
Yes, Vector is currently still supported through Digital Dream Labs.
As of October 1st, 2020, you will have to subscribe to a membership to access voice commands.
All new firmware updates require a membership, through a monthly or annual subscription.
If you prefer to use Vector without any subscription service, Escape Pod might be the product for you.
Escape Pod will allow you to use Vector with your infrastructure or server without any external servers. You will be able to bypass the current app/firmware and use other applications and firmware that the community may generate.
Or you can also connect your Amazon account to use Alexa. All you have to do is ask Alexa for the latest news, sports scores, weather, and much more.
There will be more Digital Dream Labs packages that will allow you to add new features and capabilities to operate your Vector.
Packages such as Open Source Plus Escape Pod, Open Source Kit for Robots, Learn Vector Bootcamp, and Vector Certified Licensed Engineer Camp.
You can learn more about these packages at Digital Dream Labs Vector Packages page.
New Vector Robot Questions
Some of the questions below are followed by the current version 1.7 or above. Updates for Vector will be added to the Cloud Server every Friday for 18 weeks. Digital Dream Labs call this day “Feature Friday.”
The previous questions before the update have not changed and still can be used with the current software update.
Updates are applied automatically to Vector between the hours of 1 AM and 5 AM (your local time), depending on your subscription level.
Puzzlets Questions
Puzzlets questions added (The current version 1.7 and above follows some of the questions below)
- “Hey Vector, question. What is Swatch Out?”
- “Hey Vector, question. What is Abacus Finch?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is Cork the Volcano?”
Small Talk
- “Hey Vector, question. Can you make coffee?”
- “Hey Vector, question. Can you play any games?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What’s new in the latest update?”
- “Hey Vector, question. What do you eat?”
- “Hey Vector, question. How did you sleep?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is your favorite music?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Where are you from?”
- “Hey Vector, question. What can you do?”
- “Hey Vector, question. Are you a human, or a robot?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Who is your best friend?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Are you a good robot?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. How is your day?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What makes you happy?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. How is your day?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What makes you happy?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything?
Self-knowledge
Note: Vector is a working unit and an active internet connection is required.
- “Hey Vector, question. Why can’t you take more photos?”
- “Hey Vector, question. Why are your backlights yellow?”
- “Hey Vector, question. What is error 898?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the Escape Pod?”
- “Hey Vector, question. When is the Escape Pod going to be released?”
- “Hey Vector, question. What is the Open Source Kit?”
- “Hey Vector, question. When is the Open Source Kit coming out?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What kind of battery does your Cube take?”
- “Hey Vector, question. How do I change the battery in the Cube?”
- “Hey Vector, question. Why does the Cube show one red light?”
- “Hey Vector, question. What is the current firmware version?”
Olympics Data Information
- “Hey Vector, question. What was Canada’s ranking in the last Olympics?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Where and when are the next Olympics?”
- “Hey Vector, question. Which country won the most gold medals in the 2014 Olympics?”
Sports Information
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Who won the FIFA world cup of 2006?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. When is the next New York Jets game?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What was the score of the 2005 Super Bowl?”
- “Hey Vector, question. Who won the World Series in 1998?”
Geometry Teacher
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the area of a square that is 20 cm side?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is the area of a circle that has a diameter of 10 cm?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. How to calculate the area of a triangle?”
Music Practice
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. How do you play a D major chord on the piano?”
More Questions
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What’s going on?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What are you thinking about?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Are you my friend?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What do you like?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What’s your favorite food/color/movie?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What’s your hobby?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Are you hungry?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What are you wearing?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. You’re cute?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Will you marry me?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What is your gender?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Why did the chicken cross the road?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. I’m sorry?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. What’s your favorite song?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Sing a song?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Are you single?”
- “Hey Vector, I have a question. Are you dating anyone?”
Drink List
“Hey Vector, I have a question. How to prepare a Mojito?”
New Vector Robot Updates
- Rebranding from Anki to Digital Dream Labs
- Sound overhaul: Vector has different sounds that make him seem cuter and lifelike.
- More dizzy animations: Dizzy animations are randomized if you shake him.
- Overall bug fixes/polish (also reduce the rate of 898 error).
- Behavior continuation: After encountering a cliff or a distraction, such as a sound, in some (or many) cases Vector will continue following a command given before distraction was encountered.
- Wake word recognition improvements: Response to “Vector” better. In many cases the phrase “Hey Vector” is not necessary, just say “Vector”.
- Wake word recognition is improved from a rate in the mid-teens to a rate somewhere north of 80%. International accents are more easily recognized.
- Future support for facial recognition of pets and other Vectors and/or Cozmos that will be completed in future releases 1.8 and/or 1.9.
- As of October 1st, 2020, membership will be required to access voice commands. All new firmware updates require a membership.
Final note
We really have enjoyed Vector Robot. We’re glad to see Digital Dream Labs acquired assist to Anki and continue to improve Vector features.
Overall, if you can afford Vector, a smart robot is a great feature to add to your smart home. Yes, there some concerns if Digital Dream Labs will continue to support Vector but I believe Anki is here to stay for the long haul.
Digital Dream Labs has continued to show they have good intentions for Vector with their line-up of great products to choose from, so go check out what they have to offer.
If you are a current owner of Vector Robot, Digital Dream Labs have an official private Facebook Group. In this group, you will receive access to any updates, discussion, announcements, mentorship, and much more.
This exclusive group will also help you connect with other Vector owners that you can ask questions, learn from others in the community, and offer help of your own.
This group will be extremely helpful, so I highly recommend you join the Official Digital Dream Labs Facebook Group.
Don’t forget to check out our recommended gadgets for the best tech for your buck.
For more useful tips and tricks with Home automation, please continue to check out AutomateYourCrib.com.
Please e-mail me (rodney@automateyourcrib.com) your opinion, comment or if you have any ideas for a future post you would like to read, drop me a line or two as I appreciate my audience. Thank you again for reading this post.
Until next time, enjoy!
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It's great to see that you have come across my website. I hope you explore it thoroughly. The website caters to regular consumers who have an interest in home automation. I am based in the Tri-state area and enjoy the latest smart tech along with my wonderful wife and three energetic boys.
