Developers of the "interactive retail experience" RobotGalaxy has announced the raising of $5 million in private investment which is to fuel the company’s expansion, including the launch of a new virtual world.

RobotGalaxy's site currently allows young “explorers” to assemble, program and activate their own robots from thousands of combinations, with two retail stores opened – one in the Freehold Raceway Mall, NJ and one in the Palisades Center, NY.

The RobotGalaxy "online galaxy" is to be a virtual world directly connected to a physical Robot Galaxy robot, making the world somewhat similar in concept to Webkinz or Build-A-Bearville. The world is to utilize a patented robot design to allow the connection of a user’s personalized robot in the virtual world via a “Supersonic Fuel Cell” and USB cable. Once connected to the virtual world, users will enter a “Space Station” where they will be able to go on quests with their robot and battle other players.

“Over the past two years we’ve established a model based on three pillars: retail, entertainment, and online. As we add technology to our product, we will continue to invest in our retail operations as we develop our online Galaxy and build upon our comic book series,” said Ken Pilot, Chief Galaxy Officer.