NEWPORT BEACH : Visitors Push Kids’ Buttons

Four-year-old Douglas Stock apprehensively stepped up to the blue, 4-foot-9, talking and moving machine, curious about what made it tick.

“Are there any people in the robot?” he asked, cautiously peering into the mysterious machine called ProBot. “I don’t see nothing.”

Douglas and his older brother, Brian, were two of about 30 children at the Corona del Mar branch of the Newport Beach Public Library on Thursday to see a robotics demonstration as part of “Out of this World, Extraterrestrial Reading,” the library’s summer reading program.

ProBot, sporting a blue sailor’s cap and red bow tie, visited with the children briefly, telling them what robots can do in the world today, including building microwave ovens and even other robots.

“Watch out, robots are taking over,” ProBot tells the children in a computerized voice supplied by owner Joseph McCord.

McCord then took over the stage, leaving ProBot idle while he explained how the $25,000 machine works.

“There’s no magic, but it is science,” said McCord, who started the Robot Co. in Costa Mesa five years ago.

ProBot was joined Thursday by Newton, a colorful, 3-foot-high personal computer. With the children sitting in a circle on the library’s floor, Newton greeted each one, with heat sensors signaling the machine when it was time to move on to the next awe-stricken child.

“I either need stronger glasses or weaker drinks,” Newton’s computer voice chimed after moving away from a corner filled with children clamoring for a touch.

While ProBot--short for professional robot--is limited to moving his head, hands and arms, Newton is programmed to talk, move and operate on his own. Besides telling jokes, the $8,000 mechanical companion sings “Jingle Bells” and can answer the telephone and make calls.

McCord said that in addition to appearing at library functions, the robots are rented out for parties, store openings, bar mitzvahs and other gatherings. Some of his creations have appeared in films, including the robot movie “Short Circuit.”