Digital Dream Labs: Difference between revisions
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Digital Dream Labs/Anki (or DDL for short), is an educational technology company that was founded in 2012, which is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. | [[File:DDL Logo.webp|thumb|Digital Dream Labs Logo]] | ||
Digital Dream Labs/Anki (or DDL for short), is an educational technology company that was founded in 2012, which is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their original products consisted of Educational Games, as well as Puzzlets. In 2020, they bought [[Anki|Anki's]] assets due to their Bankruptcy. In 2025, DDL rebranded to Anki, and Zack Anton took over as CEO. | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
Digital Dream Labs was founded in 2012 by Peter Kinney, Jacob Hanchar, Matt Stewart, and Justin Sabo. The reason why is because they wanted to make educational video games for children and wanted to innovate. Their first product was Ludos (however was changed to Puzzlets | [[File:DDL Puzzlets box.jpg|thumb|Puzzlets Cork The Volcano Box]] | ||
Digital Dream Labs was founded in 2012 by Peter Kinney, Jacob Hanchar, Matt Stewart, and Justin Sabo. The reason why is because they wanted to make educational video games for children and wanted to innovate. Their first product was Ludos (however was changed to Puzzlets), which uses toy puzzle pieces to control Video Games. They also made video games too like Cork the Volcano for the product Ludos. Digital Dream Labs mission was the spark the curiosity in us all, mixing nostalgia with the technology children crave. | |||
However, Peter Kinney stepped down in 2016, Matt Stewart in 2018, and even Justin Sabo the same year. This only left Jacob Hanchar as the last remaining CEO of DDL. | However, Peter Kinney stepped down in 2016, Matt Stewart in 2018, and even Justin Sabo the same year. This only left Jacob Hanchar as the last remaining CEO of DDL. | ||
== Anki's Acquisition == | == Anki's Acquisition == | ||
In 2019, Anki filed for bankruptcy, for not managing their money right, as they spent a lot on Cozmo and Vector. A lot of people were shocked, as Anki sold a lot of Robots, people respected the company, and a lot of people liked their products. This was also terrible news for Vector owners as the Robot required Servers to even work properly. Anki found a way to keep the servers up for a while, but then Digital Dream Labs in 2020 bought Anki's Assets. Including [[Cozmo]], [[Vector]], [[Overdrive]], Social Media | In 2019, [[Anki]] filed for bankruptcy, for not managing their money right, as they spent a lot on Cozmo and Vector. A lot of people were shocked, as [[Anki]] sold a lot of Robots, people respected the company, and a lot of people liked their products. This was also terrible news for Vector owners as the Robot required Servers to even work properly. Anki found a way to keep the servers up for a while, but then Digital Dream Labs in 2020 bought Anki's Assets. Including [[Cozmo]], [[Vector]], [[Overdrive]], Their Social Media profiles, Company Name, and other things. DDL announced this on their social media. However, after the purchase, they would no longer make any other games for Puzzlets. They also announced that Vector would require a paid subscription called [[DDL Connect]], which the community didn't like. | ||
== List of Ideas == | == List of Ideas == | ||
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=== Butter Robot (Cancelled) === | === Butter Robot (Cancelled) === | ||
[[File:Butter robot.jpg|thumb|x150px|Butter Robot]] | |||
Butter Robot was supposed to be a partnership between DDL and Warner Brothers, to make a real robot based on the 'Butter Robot' in the show Rick & Morty. It would pass the butter like in the show. It was later cancelled because to Warner Bros and DDL couldn't get along as well. However, the Butter Robot is now being made by CircuitMess.You can preorder [https://circuitmess.com/pages/butter-bot here] '''''No one has received this robot.''''' | |||
=== InfiniDrive (Seemingly Cancelled) === | === InfiniDrive (Seemingly Cancelled) === | ||
[[File:Infinidrive.jpg|thumb|150px|Infinidrive]] | |||
DDL was planning to make a product similar to [[Overdrive]] but the battery in the cars don't have to be charged (wireless charging on a specific track), with the name "InfiniDrive" (likely from the idea of ''infinite'' battery). DDL hosted Webinars about how the Status was about DDL's Robots, but we've not heard anything since 2023. | DDL was planning to make a product similar to [[Overdrive]] but the battery in the cars don't have to be charged (wireless charging on a specific track), with the name "InfiniDrive" (likely from the idea of ''infinite'' battery). DDL hosted Webinars about how the Status was about DDL's Robots, but we've not heard anything since 2023. | ||
=== Vector 2.0 (Released) === | === Vector 2.0 (Released) === | ||
Vector 2.0 is supposed to be [[Vector]] but better, with a better camera, the DDL logo, and a better battery. This robot was then soon released in 2022, two years after 2020's pre-orders and '''''some people still haven't received it to this day'''''. | [[File:Vector 2.0.jpg|thumb|x150px|Vector 2.0 Box]] | ||
Vector 2.0 is supposed to be [[Vector]] but better, with a better camera, the DDL logo on his back, and a better battery. This robot was then soon released in 2022, two years after 2020's pre-orders and '''''some people still haven't received it to this day'''''. | |||
=== Cozmo 2.0 (Possibly In Development) === | === Cozmo 2.0 (Possibly In Development) === | ||
[[Cozmo]] 2.0's design has been updated to look like a [[Vector]] modified to be looking like a Cozmo. The same states with Vector 2.0, better battery, better camera, and the ddl logo. Prototype versions of this Robot has been posted to DDL's YouTube | [[File:Cozmo 2.0.webp|thumb|x150px|Cozmo 2.0 Box]] | ||
[[Cozmo]] 2.0's design has been updated to look like a [[Vector]] modified to be looking like a Cozmo. The same states with Vector 2.0, better battery, better camera, and the ddl logo. Prototype versions of this Robot has been posted to DDL's YouTube Channel, but no updates have been given since 2022. | |||
== Drama == | == Drama == | ||
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== The Current State of DDL == | == The Current State of DDL == | ||
In Late 2024, DDL started to post on their social media again, which was a shock to everyone. DDL later announced that the servers were going to come for the lifetime subscription people and soon after all subscriptions, and the Subscription Portal would return for more Subscription Purchases. [[Vector]] 2.0 also went into Stock, and The Vector App was still being made, so the only way to connect to the new servers was via the Vector Web Setup. Eventually the Vector Robot app came both for Android and later on iOS, but had a lot of bugs. The Vector App would also finally get it's own overhaul with a newer text and newer Icons. It was also revealed that Zack Anton was going to be the new CEO of DDL, and Jacob Hanchar would be retiring. On their social media, DDL said something big would happen soon. It turns out the big surprise was them rebranding to Anki after 13 years of being called DDL. They also announced Vector will be getting a new feature, which can cast Vector's sound to another device. And the latest news, Vector will be able to speak other languages. | In Late 2024, DDL started to post on their social media again, which was a shock to everyone. DDL later announced that the servers were going to come for the lifetime subscription people and soon after all subscriptions, and the Subscription Portal would return for more Subscription Purchases. [[Vector]] 2.0 also went into Stock, and The [[Vector/App|Vector App]] was still being made, so the only way to connect to the new servers was via the Vector Web Setup. Eventually the [[Vector/App|Vector Robot app]] came both for Android and later on iOS, but had a lot of bugs. The Vector App would also finally get it's own overhaul with a newer text and newer Icons. It was also revealed that Zack Anton was going to be the new CEO of DDL, and Jacob Hanchar would be retiring. On their social media, DDL said something big would happen soon. It turns out the big surprise was them rebranding to Anki after 13 years of being called DDL. They also announced [[Vector]] will be getting a new feature, which can cast [[Vector|Vector's]] sound to another device. And the latest news, Vector will be able to speak other languages. | ||
== Sub-Pages == | |||
=== [[DDL Connect|DDL Connect/Vector AI Subscription]] === | |||
[[DDL Connect]] is a subscription made by DDL, required to use voice commands on prod OS [[Vector|Vectors]]. | |||
Latest revision as of 23:29, 21 July 2025
Digital Dream Labs/Anki (or DDL for short), is an educational technology company that was founded in 2012, which is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their original products consisted of Educational Games, as well as Puzzlets. In 2020, they bought Anki's assets due to their Bankruptcy. In 2025, DDL rebranded to Anki, and Zack Anton took over as CEO.
History
Digital Dream Labs was founded in 2012 by Peter Kinney, Jacob Hanchar, Matt Stewart, and Justin Sabo. The reason why is because they wanted to make educational video games for children and wanted to innovate. Their first product was Ludos (however was changed to Puzzlets), which uses toy puzzle pieces to control Video Games. They also made video games too like Cork the Volcano for the product Ludos. Digital Dream Labs mission was the spark the curiosity in us all, mixing nostalgia with the technology children crave.
However, Peter Kinney stepped down in 2016, Matt Stewart in 2018, and even Justin Sabo the same year. This only left Jacob Hanchar as the last remaining CEO of DDL.
Anki's Acquisition
In 2019, Anki filed for bankruptcy, for not managing their money right, as they spent a lot on Cozmo and Vector. A lot of people were shocked, as Anki sold a lot of Robots, people respected the company, and a lot of people liked their products. This was also terrible news for Vector owners as the Robot required Servers to even work properly. Anki found a way to keep the servers up for a while, but then Digital Dream Labs in 2020 bought Anki's Assets. Including Cozmo, Vector, Overdrive, Their Social Media profiles, Company Name, and other things. DDL announced this on their social media. However, after the purchase, they would no longer make any other games for Puzzlets. They also announced that Vector would require a paid subscription called DDL Connect, which the community didn't like.
List of Ideas
Once Anki's assets were bought, DDL was going to be "improving" Vector, Cozmo, and Overdrive. They also were going to make other robots too.
Butter Robot (Cancelled)
Butter Robot was supposed to be a partnership between DDL and Warner Brothers, to make a real robot based on the 'Butter Robot' in the show Rick & Morty. It would pass the butter like in the show. It was later cancelled because to Warner Bros and DDL couldn't get along as well. However, the Butter Robot is now being made by CircuitMess.You can preorder here No one has received this robot.
InfiniDrive (Seemingly Cancelled)
DDL was planning to make a product similar to Overdrive but the battery in the cars don't have to be charged (wireless charging on a specific track), with the name "InfiniDrive" (likely from the idea of infinite battery). DDL hosted Webinars about how the Status was about DDL's Robots, but we've not heard anything since 2023.
Vector 2.0 (Released)
Vector 2.0 is supposed to be Vector but better, with a better camera, the DDL logo on his back, and a better battery. This robot was then soon released in 2022, two years after 2020's pre-orders and some people still haven't received it to this day.
Cozmo 2.0 (Possibly In Development)
Cozmo 2.0's design has been updated to look like a Vector modified to be looking like a Cozmo. The same states with Vector 2.0, better battery, better camera, and the ddl logo. Prototype versions of this Robot has been posted to DDL's YouTube Channel, but no updates have been given since 2022.
Drama
When people pre-ordered Vector 2.0, the Butter Robot, and Cozmo 2.0, people were concerned about why it took so long. Even to this day, no one has recieved their Cozmo 2.0, and the Butter Robot is never going to even be delivered. In 2021, EMO was released by Living AI. Digital Dream Labs found out about Emo, and then sent a Cease and Desist Letter to Living AI. The reason why was because DDL saw EMO as a clone of Cozmo and Vector. Eventually DDL sued Living AI. This lawsuit took a while, and ended in 2024 with no winner at all. DDL then apparently got sued by the Pittsburgh Attorney General, because DDL didn't fulfill orders in a reasonable time.
Digital Dream Labs then also got exposed for not paying their employees (they do now), and people have reported Swelling Batteries with the Vector 2.0, and Vectors Screen is also smaller than the 1.0 too. The biggest drama was when DDL's servers went down in 2023, when they didn't tell their customers until a few days earlier, saying that they were doing maintenance on the servers. However, you don't just shut off the servers and then a few days earlier you say "Maintenance is happening." People found out that DDL wasn't even doing any maintenance at all. What happened was DDL forgot to pay their AWS Server, and they had to use Azure instead. However, during that time, an Employee according to DDL, stole the code from the Servers and left the company which is why the Servers were down for a while. Jacob Hanchar was arrested too, and the Building DDL stayed at was up for lease. People thought they went out of Business.
The Current State of DDL
In Late 2024, DDL started to post on their social media again, which was a shock to everyone. DDL later announced that the servers were going to come for the lifetime subscription people and soon after all subscriptions, and the Subscription Portal would return for more Subscription Purchases. Vector 2.0 also went into Stock, and The Vector App was still being made, so the only way to connect to the new servers was via the Vector Web Setup. Eventually the Vector Robot app came both for Android and later on iOS, but had a lot of bugs. The Vector App would also finally get it's own overhaul with a newer text and newer Icons. It was also revealed that Zack Anton was going to be the new CEO of DDL, and Jacob Hanchar would be retiring. On their social media, DDL said something big would happen soon. It turns out the big surprise was them rebranding to Anki after 13 years of being called DDL. They also announced Vector will be getting a new feature, which can cast Vector's sound to another device. And the latest news, Vector will be able to speak other languages.
Sub-Pages
DDL Connect is a subscription made by DDL, required to use voice commands on prod OS Vectors.