After reading about Sega’s Dream Pony, I knew the time to have a kid of my own had finally come. Not being a kid myself, the only plausible excuse for spending $600 on a toy would be to do it out of pure love and generosity for my own child…right?

Dream Pony is 1.2 meters tall, powered by batteries and equipped with sensors that enable it to react to its surroundings. Loud sudden sounds will make it jerk its head, darkness will have it emit an anxious-sounding whinny, and petting its head and neck will make it move its head, ears and tail in appreciation. You can also try and feed Dream Pony its “sad” plastic carrot; it will try to bite it.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take a ride on Dream Pony, as the animal robot cannot move its legs which – come to think of it -- is rather disappointing, not that I would have tried to take a ride on Dream Pony…ever! Though, if you weigh less than 36 kilo (around 80 pounds), you can enjoy sitting on it and pretending to ride through beautiful woods and prairies.

Sega Toys will be selling Dream Pony by the end of the year, though I bet only in Japan; cool toys are always “Japan only.”

Via Pink Tentacle.