It looks like 2006 is gearing up to be the year of robot toys. The Associated Press say, "If children didn't get their fill of high-tech toys during the 2005 holiday season, they should brace themselves for more wizardry later this year." Apparently, the allure of iPods and Xboxes is causing kids to grow out of toys faster than before. In response, the toy industry is trying to come up with ways to keep kids engaged, and their answer is robots. The American International Toy Fair starts today, and, there's gonna be lots to see.
This year's robotic lineup includes a life-sized miniature pony that responds to touch, a Barbie doll that follows the child's dance moves and a robot made from a Lego building set that can be programmed.
And let's not forget
Pleo.
Apparently, the Toy Industry, which has seen significant drops over the past several years, needs another "killer app." Perhaps the Engineers of the world can give it to them.
But, I, for one, don't appreciate that fact that, "At least 75 percent of the toys at this year's event will have some sort of microchip in them." I think that's the problem with kids these days. It's all about consumerism and not about creating your own fun. What ever happened to imagination?