What happens on the card

Seen from behind the leash, Sprocket the robot dog trots up one of San Francisco's steep streets: painted houses, cable car tracks, the Golden Gate in the fog over the crest. Drag left and right and Sprocket follows, walking over the glowing batteries laid out on the street, the WAG WATTS; a golden one right beside an obstacle counts five, and brushing past without touching counts two. Puddles, pigeons, a corgi that wants to sniff the robot, a scooter rider, a cable car coming down fast: a bump only dazes Sprocket a moment. Fifteen in a row and it is the zoomies. The walk ends at the office, where Sprocket brings out the birthday cake on its back, candles lit, their name and age above.

Who it is for

Tech people and gadget lovers, San Franciscans, dog walkers, the friend who would absolutely take that job, and kids who want a robot dog.

What to write in a robot birthday card

The message is yours. If you need a start, these fit this card:

  • “Happy birthday! You are fully charged.”
  • “Beep boop. That is robot for have a wonderful birthday.”
  • “Wishing you a year of good walks and no low-battery warnings.”

How to send it

  1. Tap Make this card: the card opens with this game.
  2. Type their first name, their age and your message. The card updates as you type.
  3. Send the link on WhatsApp, by text or by email. You are told when they open it.

Questions

Can I personalise this robot birthday card?

Yes. Their first name and age are written into the game itself, and you choose the title, the message, a P.S., the celebration at the end, the colours and the fonts. You can also switch to any of the other 43 games without losing your words.

How much does a robot birthday card cost?

Making and previewing it is free. Sending it costs 2.60 € in the euro zone, £2.20 in the United Kingdom and $2.90 everywhere else, once, with no subscription.

How do I send a robot birthday card?

As a link, on WhatsApp, by text or by email. It opens in their browser, on a phone or a computer, with no app and no account, and the link does not expire.

Can they lose the game?

No. Every game lasts about twenty seconds and always ends on the birthday cake with their name, whatever they do. A score is shown at the end, just for fun.

Also known as: robot dog birthday card, san francisco birthday card, tech birthday card, birthday card for engineers.