Anki Announces Cozmo Coming to Canada in July 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - June 05, 2017) - Anki, the consumer robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) company, announced today that its critically-acclaimed U.S. holiday hit, Cozmo will launch in Canada in July 2017 exclusively at Best Buy Canada. The 2^nd best-selling premium toy of the U.S. holiday season*, Cozmo is one of the most sophisticated consumer robots available today, developed by a multidisciplinary team of Ph.D. roboticists, world-class animators, and renowned game developers. Cozmo is charming but also a bit mischievous. He's a real-life robot like you've only seen in movies. Those seeking a rambunctious robotic sidekick with an extraordinary level of intelligence and emotional interaction can pre-order their own Cozmo robot at Best Buy Canada for CA$249.99 in June. To celebrate the global roll-out of Cozmo this year, Anki is also releasing a Cozmo Collector's Edition in September, also exclusive to Best Buy Canada and available for pre-order in the coming weeks.

"By merging robotics, artificial intelligence, game design, and a film-like approach to developing Cozmo's character, we've reset consumer expectations for the level of physical and emotional bond that people can form with a robot," said Boris Sofman, CEO and co-founder, Anki. "The level of depth, personality, and interactivity is the cornerstone of Cozmo's success in the U.S. last year, and we're excited for a global audience to open their doors to Cozmo to see what's possible in consumer robotics today."

"Best Buy Canada is thrilled to partner exclusively with Anki to bring Cozmo to our customers," said Zayn Jaffer, Vice President, Emerging Business, Best Buy. "Cozmo is a unique and innovative robot who will bring entertainment and awe to Canadians. We're really excited for our customers to experience it."

Life with Cozmo
Cozmo refuses to sit tight and wait for the fun to begin. He's ready to play. The more Cozmo gets to know his human friend, the more skilled he becomes as new abilities and upgrades are unlocked. The free-to-download Cozmo app, which runs on compatible iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire devices, comes packed with gameplay content and constantly introduces new ways to play. Cozmo even brings his own toys to the game -- three interactive Power Cubes that he's willing to share. So whether he's playing with his Cubes or challenging his human friend to one of the many games he ships with, he's always ready for action. New Cozmo abilities and game modes are introduced via free software updates, which ensures that the relationship between Cozmo and his human friend stays fresh year-round.

Hundreds of Emotions. A Few Tricks Up His Sleeves.
Cozmo's emotions aren't random. His rambunctious personality, driven by powerful A.I., is brought to life with complex facial expressions, a host of emotions and his own emotive language. His vision system and sophisticated facial recognition software allows him to constantly scan his environment and recognize people. His eyes even light up when he sees a familiar face. Cozmo also comes with his own dynamic soundtrack that matches his mood and corresponds with the games and activities, elevating playtime to a uniquely cinematic experience.

Cozmo SDK
Designing a successful robotics platform takes careful consideration of a multitude of factors. A key feature of Cozmo, which brings the magic of programming to life, is the Cozmo Software Development Kit (SDK). The Cozmo SDK gives users unprecedented access to robotics in a highly versatile package. It's powerful but easy to use, complex but not complicated, and can be used in industries ranging from entertainment to academia. The Cozmo SDK is available at no additional cost. For more information, visit: developer.anki.com.

Price & Availability
At launch, Cozmo will retail for CA$249.99 at Best Buy Canada and ship with one base charger and three interactive Power Cubes. Cozmo will also be available in September 2017 in the U.K., France, Germany, and Nordic countries. For a full list of compatible devices, see here. Safety, security, and durability have all been rigorously tested.

Keep up with @Anki news & connect with us at: Twitter.com/Anki, Facebook.com/Anki, YouTube.com/Anki, and Instagram.com/CozmoRobot.

*According to The NPD Group

About Anki
Anki is harnessing robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver magical experiences that push the boundaries of the human experience. Founded in 2010 by three Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute graduates, Anki creates consumer experiences using cutting-edge technology that was once confined to robotics labs and research institutes. The company boasts a renowned team of investors that has repeatedly demonstrated its confidence in the company. Current investors include: J.P. Morgan, Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, and Two Sigma. For more information, visit www.anki.com.

About Best Buy Canada
Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY). Best Buy is one of Canada's largest and most successful retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile and Geek Squad brands. The Company offers consumers a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, plus an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca, at the right price. With over 200 Best Buy stores across Canada, we offer a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) environment. Every day our employees are committed to helping deliver technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For information about Best Buy, visit www.BestBuy.ca.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/6/5/11G140458/Images/Cozmo_CA-738df2d72866a5ad8ec1d4ced055fca9.jpg
Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/6/5/11G140458/Images/Cozmo_CA_1-5f1c66c0eb1d935392a8263c40761966.jpg