Robots invade Madrid (photos)
Juegetronica has been open for eight years now, but they just moved to a much bigger store near Metro San Bernardo a month ago. The move was right before the Christmas and, more important in Spain, Three Kings rush.
The owner Daniel Bayon says that "todo del mundo (the whole world) is starting to love playing with robots," even the technologically-resistant Spanish. They ship to anywhere in the world, but their biggest customer is still the Spanish, who, according to owner Daniel Bayon, evidently increasingly fascinated by technology and robotics of the kind sold. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comOne of this year's proverbial Cabbage Patch Doll is a playable electric guitar made of paper, weighing nearly nothing. The PaperJamz products can be recorded, can be paper-amplified and can be sung into. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comOwner Bayon shows this season's hottest wheels, which are SmartPhone-controlled and roll up walls, with some knocking others off. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comA customer hopes the three kings bring him a remote-controlled helicopter. Another popular present to receive on January 6 is an iPhone-steered copter. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comEmployees take playing seriously. They were never idle, going out of their way to make sure all customers knew how to work with and play with their sometimes simple, sometimes complex technology. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comOne of this year's hottest toys are giant helium-filled fish and sharks that are remote-control operated. This fish is so popular despite an international Helium shortage crisis. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comJueguetronica has an entire spy section. This watch has a camera and tape recorder. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com
"Bladerunner" is not far off when the robots start reacting to each other. Next month, the basement of the store will even hold robotics classes for engineers and programmers. Bayon says his store is a unique robot dealer because it sells many of the tiny bits and motors to build and fix robots. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comIt's a store filled with families, shown here as a son pets a dinosaur robot, who responds by tilting his head and purring. Photo by Eva San Juan
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comThe perpetual best seller at this geek heaven is certainly not the cheapest. For 249.99euros, R2D2 is, not surprisingly, the robot at the head of the "stobor" (to use Robert Heinlein's word for group of robots.) R2 responds to voice commands and backs away at the mention of Darth Vader, while he spins for joy when he hears of his golden friend C3PO. When told to "Speak up," R2 hums the "Star Wars" theme. Photo by Eva San Juan
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The staff of Jueguetronica could be the most customer service-based in Spain. Staff member Christian Medina (not pictured) has only worked here for six months, but was an expert on all robotic and magic products. "It's a job I like a lot and I want to learn rapidly. I want to know it all." Medina enthusiastically spoke of the happiness and families he says fill the store.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com