A tribute to the iconic Radio Shack robot.

Explore the history, features, and lasting legacy of one of the most memorable vintage robot toys ever released

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About

Robie Junior, introduced by Radio Shack in 1984, was a pioneering robot toy that captured the imaginations of many enthusiasts. Standing at about a foot tall, Robie Junior was a sleek and futuristic-looking robot designed to provide hours of entertainment and interactive play.One of the most remarkable features of Robie Junior was its ability to move autonomously. Equipped with wheels and a range of sensors, it could navigate its surroundings and respond to its environment, creating an immersive and engaging experience for users. Whether it was exploring a room, avoiding obstacles, or following simple commands, Robie Junior brought a sense of wonder and technological advancement into homes across the world.The release of Robie Junior marked a significant milestone in the history of consumer robotics. As one of the first affordable and commercially available autonomous robots, it paved the way for future developments in the field. Many enthusiasts credit Robie Junior as the inspiration behind their passion for robotics, propelling them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.While Radio Shack eventually discontinued the production of Robie Junior, its impact and legacy endure. Today, collectors and enthusiasts continue to celebrate this beloved robot, cherishing their memories and sharing their experiences. Our website aims to bring together this community, providing a space to reminisce, learn, and engage in all things Robie Junior.

History

Robie Junior represented an important moment in consumer robotics. As an affordable and commercially available robot toy, it gave many people an early glimpse of interactive technology in the home.For many fans, Robie Junior was more than entertainment — it sparked curiosity about robotics, electronics, and the future of intelligent machines.

Features

What made Robie Junior memorable was the way it seemed active, responsive, and advanced for its time.Autonomous Movement
Robie Junior could move around on its own, adding a sense of life and unpredictability to play.Environmental Awareness
With built-in sensing and obstacle response, it could react to its surroundings in ways that felt impressive for a consumer robot toy.Interactive Play
Whether following simple commands or exploring a room, Robie Junior delivered a hands-on experience that felt futuristic.Distinctive Design
Its compact body, expressive look, and unmistakable retro styling still make it instantly recognizable today.

FAQs

Arm FunctionsBoth the left and right arms can be rotated 3/4 of a circle. Arms will “click” stop at three positions.
The wrists of both hands rotate 90 degrees (1/4 turns).
The clips at the end of each arm can hold small, light-weith items.
The tray can be attached by rotating the wrists towards the body.Bumper
When he runs into something, the well mannered Robie Junior apologizes and changes direction.
Pushing the bumper makes him speak.Controller
Used to command Robie Junior.
POWER switch turns the power of the control on and off.
FOLLOW switch makes Robie Junior follow you, even you do not give him a command
Movement switches move Robie Junior in the direction shown on the switch.Eyes
Shine differently as he moves. Both eyes shine when moving forward, the right eye shines when he turns right, the left one lights when he moves left. When he goes backwards, the eyes are off.How much did Robie Junior cost?
The initial selling price for Robie Junior was $179.95 then $139.95 through Radio Shack store and catalogue. Sears sold the Tomy Omnibot Junior version.How much weight can Robie Junior carry?
The maximum weight is 10oz (300g).Left and Right Arms
Press either arm to have him talk.
Let him hold a tray with both hands or grasp something for you with either hand.Mode Switch
Press the switch between STAY mode and WALK mode.Power Switch
Use to turn Robie Junior on and off.Speaker
Listen to with Robie Junior has to say to you.STAY mode
At power on, Robie Junior is in a STAY mode. He does not move until you give him a command. Try moving him forward, backward, left or right turn.
Set the FOLLOW switch to YES. Robie Junior responds by saying “Okay, I’m coming” and follows you even without pressing a movement button.
Set the FOLLOW switch back to NO and wait about 1 minute and listen to what Robie Junior says.Technical Data
Height: 26.5 cm
Weight: Approximately 1.2 kg
Dimensions: 12 1/2 in x 10 in x 10 in
Allowable weight for tray: approximately 10 oz (330g)
over hard surface (e.g. plastic tiled floors)Tray
Attach to Robie Junior’s hands so he can carry something over a hard surface. The maximum weight is 10oz (300g).Ultrasonic Sensors
Receives ultrasonic signals from the remote controller.WALK mode
Press the mode switch on Robie Junior’s HEAD. Robie says “Let’s Go!” and starts to move in WALK mode. In this mode, Robie Junior moves without waiting for your command. Of course you can have him move backward, left or right using the movement switches, but he moves straight ahead if you are not pressing any button.
The FOLLOW switch acts the same way as it does in the STAY mode, but Robie Junior sometimes misbehaves and goes AWAY from you when the switch is at YES. Dont worry he’ll retun back to his well-mannered behaviour soon.What batteries does Robie Junior use?
Requires one 9V and 4 “D” batteries for power.What does Robie Junior say?
Robie Junior has many phrases as follows:Hello
I’m Robie Junior
That tickles
Let’s Go!
Where am I?
Oops, Excuse Me
Okay, I wait
I’m coming
Catch Me!
Ouch! That hurts!
Come On, Let’s Play!What font is used for the Robie Junior logo?
We are using the font Puent Bold for the logo.What frequency does the remote use?
The transmitting device (remote) uses an Ultrasonic frequency of 41.7 kHz.What is the typical battery life?
Robie Junior itself is powered by four D size batteries which provides it with approximately 7 hours of run time. The transmitter itself is powered by a standard 9 volt battery and typically lasts for 50 hours.When was Robie Junior created?
Robie Junior came out in 1987 by Radio Shack. They originally licensed and rebranded Tomy’s Omnibot Junior as their new Robie Junior.

Manual

Click on the main cover page image of the maul for the PDF version of the Robie Junior manual.