You know you want one.

Josh Miller/CNET

Everyone loves robots, right? I know I do. But UBTech’s Alpha 2 promises to be an especially fun toy for grownups or really lucky kids. Selling for $ 1,300 around March (it launched as an Indiegogo campaign in November), the voice-controlled Alpha 2 has a whole bag of tricks that range from activating your smart home lights to yoga.

Voice control wasn’t turned on during our demo, but I was able to use the app (for Android and iOS) to control the robot’s movements, like turning around, waving, sitting, nodding and so on. The same applies to its other functions, too. It’s pricy and questionably useful, but darn cute.

Here’s some of what the Alpha 2 can do:

• Take photos
• Tutor
• Set reminders and alarms
• Control smart home equipment like locks and lights
• DJ, dancing, yoga poses

Battery life is on the low side: it can last an hour on a single charge, so if you want to use it longer, you’ll have to tether it to its proprietary charging cord. Right now the Alpha 2 sidekick comes in red or blue, but more colors are on the way.

In the US, UBTech (pronounced YOO-bee-teck) has plans to stock in Toy R Us and Amazon, after shipping first to original campaign backers.

Hardware specs

• 17 inches by 9 inches, 5 pounds
• Android 4.4
• 2,150mAH battery
• 16GB internal storage
• 2GB RAM
• Wi-Fi-enabled
• USB connector

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