Omnibot 2000

Omnibot 2000 (5405)
Omnibot 2000 (model 5405) was an upgraded version of Omnibot 5402 introduced by TOMY in 1984. It's launch price was approximately $600 USD, which is worth over $1000 USD today. This was the highest end robot in the Omnibot line at the time. It had all the features of the Omnibot including the built in computer, cassette tape, wheels for moving, microphone, and speakers. This model also had a motorized tray and a motorized arm controlled by the remote. It also had an altered design with a "neck" and "head" raised from the body. This robot was likely inspiration for Short Circuit's "Johnny Five" robot. Omnibot 2000 required the same configuration of batteries as the original, being an included rechargeable battery that powers the main components, and two AA batteries for the built in computer. The remote also took four AA batteries like the Omnibot 5402's. As with the original Omnibot, the computer unit was also electronically seperate from the robot. The remote control system was also completely overhauled, compared to the Omnibot 5402. Instead of having a clearly audible tone for each function, the Omnibot 2000's remote broadcast a single high-pitched tone at all times and overlayed the "function" tones at a much lower pitch. The robot could also handle multiple functions at once, allowing smooth turns and more fluid manipulation of the motorized arm.

The remote was also completely redesigned. Instead of a joystick, the Omnibot 2000 used two flat directional pads for both its own movement and the motorized arm. Omnibot 2000 also had two gears, which could be changed by the user. By default, it operated at high gear. Pressing the "Gear Change" button would switch the gear to low gear, which was much slower than high gear and allowed for extremely precise adjustment.

Upon powering the robot, it would also perform a "self-check" sequence, in which it reset all motorized parts and played the "Omnibot Sound". The method it used to reset itself was entirely mechanical, relying on microswitches to be pressed down by the parts themselves once they were in the correct positions.

Today, the 2000 remains to be one of the most difficult to find and acquire robot in the Omnibot line, with "as is" bots going for anywhere from $180 to $500+ USD. Ones in good (working) condition commonly go for $600 to $1000. "Brand new" ones go for $800+ almost always. The high price and low availability is mostly due to most people not being able to afford or justify the steep $600 price tag in the 80s. Additionally according to "Techno Fantasies Toy Robots From Japan" by Alan Bunkum, only approximately 10,000 units were produced and mostly sold in the North American market. However another source for this number has not been identified.