In repose (or powered down), one might describe WowWee's new Mintid Dog-E robot toy dog as lacking curb appeal. Its nearly all-white plastic body resembles a tiny dog covered in opaque white paint.

The toys are all for a spoiled ... The determined robot proceeds to screw the cap in, which fills the room with the sound of grating plastic. After a few seconds, it admits defeat.

The past and future intersect today as Sotheby’s puts up for auction and viewing toy robots, space toys and cast-iron antique toys from the estate of F. H. Griffith. “He was one of the ...