The Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.), released in 1985, is a unique accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) designed to function as an interactive robotic companion. Standing at about 9 inches tall, R.O.B. uses an optical sensor to detect flashes from the television screen, allowing it to respond to in-game commands by physically moving and manipulating objects. It is compatible with only two games (see below), where players guide R.O.B. to move colored gyro spinners or stack blocks to complete tasks. While innovative, R.O.B. is slow and cumbersome, making gameplay more of a novelty than a practical experience. However, it plays a crucial role in Nintendo's strategy to market the NES as an entertainment system rather than just a gaming console, helping to revive the video game industry after the 1983 crash.