Manhattan’s New Robotic Pet Shop

The math seems simple enough.

Everyone likes a cool gadget. And everyone likes pets. Import Japan’s incredibly lifelike, white robotic cat and voilà, customers will line up for Lucy (that’s what they call her).

So far so good for the newly opened AC Gears, Manhattan’s new gadget and cool toy emporium. Located in prime NYU territory in the East Village, the store’s artful pieces range from Japanese MP3 players to high-end Humanoid Robot Kits.

We asked store owner Kohn Liu to tell us what’s hot:

SEGATOYS DREAM CAT SMILE ROBOT. It purrs. It’s sensitive to touch. And it doesn’t shed on your designer coat. Currently the store’s best seller, the Dream Cat is another fine example of Japanese design. Makes a nice Valentine’s Day gift too.

BANPRESTO AQUAPICT LED JELLYFISH AQUARIUM. Sometimes you need a diversion at the office. Thankfully, the life-like jellyfishes swimming around in Banpresto’s little aquarium provides exactly that. Hey, those TPS reports can wait.

BANPRESTO FACEBANK. What the heck is that you’re asking? Well, it’s the Banpresto Facebank, a bank that will slowly “eat” your quarters and dimes. Should make an excellent conversation piece.


All items are available exclusively in the U.S. at AC Gears.


AC Gears, 69 East 8th Street (off Broadway), (212) 260-2269, acgears.com