Growing up I didn’t have toys that talked to me, robotic arms, or sensors that made it follow me around like a pet, but for today’s average school kid, intuitive and interactive toys are becoming more common.
At CES 2016, robots and Droids were the big hit among other toys that parents and kids are going to literally love.
Wowwee, the company known for their robotic enhanced toys such as Miposaur and Robosapien, unveiled their intelligent car and companion that kids and adults will love.
CHiP is a robotic K9 that will make you think you really have a dog in the house. CHiP simulates interactions like a real dog such as bark, whine and speak, he learns commands, responds when he’s picked up and will follow you around the house. Through a smartband CHiP will learn to recognize you, follow you, remind you it’s mealtime or playtime, even wait for you to come home. The best part is that CHiP has an advanced locomotion system so he can chase and retrieve his ball all day long. The product is on pre-order for $169 through their indiegogo campaign with expected delivery in July 2016 and includes 1 CHiP, 1 wristband, 1 ball and 1 bed.
What better than to have your own BB-8 Droid? Sphero, worked closely with Star Wars, Disney and LucasFilm to develop the BB-8 droid and have the consumer model for fans. The Droid can be paired with a mobile device or the anticipated StarWars Force Band which allows the user to use gesture control, in the form of authentic Jedi Force movements, to guide the BB-8 around. The BB-8 is $149.99. More details on the Force Band product will be announced later in the year and with an expected release date in Fall 2016.
Kick it up a notch with Sketchers new remote control Game Kicks 2 shoe. Available for boys and girls, the shoes have an interactive “light chase game” where kids can play directly on the shoe or with the remote. The boy shoes have a fighter plane theme and the girls have “juicy smash” fruit theme. Retail $65 with expected release in June 2016, just in time for school.
Named one of the best toys of 2015 at the NY Toy Fair, Cognitoys has DINO, a WiFi enables, educational smart toy that learns and grows with children. DINO has a wide range of educational and custom models to engage the child through interactive dialogue and play, including rhyming, spelling, geography, vocabulary, math, even knock knock jokes. As the child’s skill level increases, the platform parents can change the content to become more challenging. The platform is powered by IBM Watson and Elemental Path’s Friendgine. The company has found use of their product with special needs kids. DINO will cost $99 and pre-orders are being taken. The product is expected to be released in March.
Mebo is a robot that can pick up snacks, spy on a sibling and play in the yard. With a six-wheel suspension, Mebo can roll around on carpet, tile or outdoors. Through a mobile device kids can control Mebo remotely via hot spot or WiFi, stream video and photos, talk to people with its two-way audio, grab things with its four-point articulated arm and create custom robot animations. The product is expected to be released in Fall 2016 and will retail for $150.
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