Toy Robots Keep Watch on Vacant Homes
It might not be the most effective method, but some people are watching over vacant homes from afar with the help of a toy robot.

Some possibilities include Rovio from WowWee, which can be controlled by a signal from an Internet connection and sells in the toy department for $170. A company called Robodance sells software enhancements that give security users more control.

Meccano, the company that is best known for make Erector sets also sells the Spykee, a kit that allows a child to build a robot, but it has adult fans, too. ''It's a toy, but many people use it as surveillance robot,'' says Jennifer Briand, the product manager for Spykee.

Another option: Software from a company called Vitamin D allows you to turn a computer with a webcam into a surveillance tool.

Source: The New York Times, Peter Wayner (11/04/2010)