Smart toy

A smart toy is an interactive artificially intelligent toy which effectively has its own intelligence by virtue of on-board electronics. These enable it to learn, behave according to preset patterns, and alter its actions depending upon environmental stimuli and user input. Typically, it can adjust to the abilities of the player. A modern smart toy has electronics consisting of one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, volatile and/or non-volatile memory, storage devices, and various forms of input–output devices.[1] It may be networked together with other smart toys or a personal computer in order to enhance its play value or educational features.[2][3] Generally, the smart toy may be controlled by software which is embedded in firmware or else loaded from an input device such as a USB flash drive, Memory Stick or CD-ROM.[4] Smart toys frequently have extensive multimedia capabilities, and these can be utilized to produce a realistic, animated, simulated personality for the toy. Some commercial examples of smart toys are Amazing Amanda, Furby and iDog.[5] The first smart-toy was the Mego Corporation's 2-XL robot (2XL), invented in the 1970s [6][7][8]

  1. ^ Boss, Scott (November 2001). "Developing Smart Toys--From Idea To Product". Intel Technology Journal. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  2. ^ Shwe, Helen (1999). "Smarter Play for Smart Toys: The Benefits of Technology-Enhanced Play". Zowie Intertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  3. ^ Jelinek, Lenka (November 2001). "Dissection of the Intel Play QX3 Computer Microscope". Intel Technology Journal. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  4. ^ Lipp, Paula (July 28, 2000). "Engineers and computer scientists are turning their passion for play into exciting careers at toy companies". Graduate Engineer & Computer Careers Online. Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  5. ^ "List of smart toys". keiki: The Free Parenting Guide. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  6. ^ https://www.museumofplay.org/content/more-100-years-playthings-magazine/September[permanent dead link] 1978 front cover article
  7. ^ Gardner, Howard. "Mego 2-XL Talking Robot". Psychology Today(1979): 93. Toys With a Mind of Their Own
  8. ^ Jake Rossen (October 13, 2016). "Remembering the First Smart Toy: 2-XL." Article Mentalfloss