The company Sirius was established in Italy in 1982 to develop a home robot in modules: A base module with computer, wheels and steering control and a vacuum cleaner. Then a security module with i.a. burglar alarm and smoke detector. The third and most advanced module that gave the name "Moddy" is a torso with a head and arms, designed by the Japanese Isao Hosoe.
With all three modules in place, Moddy could carry a serving tray, pick up things, listen and speak, gesture and mimic. In addition to being able to vacuum, detect smoke, break-ins or other scary situations. It was intended to be able to be programmed for a number of different tasks in the home in addition to this.
Unfortunately, Sirius went bankrupt, but quite a few finished "Moddyer" were sold out of the bankruptcy estate and live on in collectors' circles. In Norway, it was the company Arngren Electronics A/S that obtained some of these for sale in Norway. Arngren presented Moddy at the Data Fair at Sjølyst in May 1987. Here, the robot became a super celebrity and was featured in all the major newspapers.
Whether it helped sales is unknown - possibly Moddy was somewhat oversold in relation to what it could actually do. The price probably also seemed a deterrent, even though Aften joked that NOK. 39,000 was not much to pay for a good friend!
