Siliconera reported Sony just filed a patent application for a robot design. The robot is designed with a camera, microphone, and position detection sensors.

The camera (item 14) on the head is for of course taking images and showing images on the screen(item 18). The microphone allows the users to speak to the robot, also enabling the robot respond to the user. Finally, there will be position detection sensors such as an acceleration sensor, gyro sensor, or possibly a GPS receiver.

Unfortunately, the patent doesn’t give any clues on how the robot can be used for games. The document details the information processing system which lets the robot respond to commands even though a player’s viewpoint is different than the robot’s. Remember, if this is going to be used for a game you will be glued to a screen while the robot’s camera points at different directions.

This reminds me of the NES R.O.B. that came out in 1985, which also reminded me of Johnny 5.