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Potch/Spotbot (1985)

First written April 2024

Tomy's Potch, first released in Japan in 1985 and exported as Spotbot to Europe and the United States at least as early as 1989, is a small motorized dog "home robopet" that runs around, spins, and barks while shaking its head. Potch has been rereleased in several color variants into the 2000s.

Potch (1985)

Potch was first released in 1985 in Japan as signified by the T-34 mark on the rear of the box. This release of Potch has a white body with black muzzle and brown spots over one eye and includes a small yellow basket.

Potch comes packaged inside a cardboard frame and is, in my opinion, quite adorable. The blue lenses used for the eyes catch the light nicely and the overall shape is pleasing. On the rear is Potch's name and a description of a "home robopet".

Potch can carry the included basket, which can in turn fit a few small items, or a piece of paper or other relatively flat flexible object can be inserted into Potch's mouth. Potch's ears are stiff enough in their clips that they can be posed.

Potch runs on one AA battery and has a relatively simple drive system - a tilted wheel on a rotating carrier allows Potch to move straight forwards or backwards in an arc, while the treads on the rear wheels actuate the movement of Potch's legs. Its tail also wags continuously while running.

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When turned on, Potch will run forward for a short distance, spin around a few times, and then bark while tilting its head. Then it will head off forwards and repeat again and again. Its barks are quite loud and almost sound a little pained, but I quite like Potch's design and cuteness.