PC Magazine's Lance Ulanoff reports today that a new robotic dinosaur toy will hit retail shelves in the third quarter of 2006, from a company called Ugobe. Collaborated on by Furbee co-inventor Caleb Chung, the Pleo will differ from existing robot toys such as the WowWee Robosapien by being soft and cuddly. But it'll also be chock-full of sensors, motors, and chips that'll let it mimic lifelike behavior and evolve its personality over time. You'll also be able to purchase "personality modules" (something a few organic lifeforms I know could use).

All this for less than $200, or so the company says now. BTW, the picture at left is just a prototype. Lance promises a full review as soon as he can get his hands on a working Pleo. Stay tuned.