thrill of racing, as seen through the pilot’s eyeglasses.
Other key stand-out manufacturers in this segment
include SilverLit, SkyRocket Toys, Revell, Carrera, and
AuldeyToys.
Spin Master: Zoomer Chimp
Wowwee: CHiP
casaur uses sensors and touch-points that are built
into the creature, so that kids just need to activate the
touchpoints to get reactions such as roars, speech,
attack mode and other playful sounds. Hatchimals,
(Spin Master) offer a new form of nurturing play, to
evolve new characters that actually hatch from their
inner eggshell over time, to become unique, function-
ing, interactive pets. Zoomer Chimp is a playful chim-
panzee that uses smart technology to sense its owner
and to respond to tricks and commands.
DJI: Phantom 4
VIRTUAL PLAY
ROBOT TOYS
1. AUGMENTED REALITY
Sphero: BB-8 Star Wars Droid
So many new iterations here engage kids to teach and
control their robots. Coji Emoticon Robot by
Wow-Wee uses emoticons as the social and emotion-
al intelligence programming language. Dash and Dot
(Wonder Workshop) teach coding to preschoolers
and older kids can create more sophisticated
programs, such as devising obstacle courses, or
building with accessories, to create more complicat-
ed stunts and actions. OzoBot mini one-inch robots
and the Sphero BB-8 robot have both encouraged
character-based play with coding sequences that
surprise and delight kids as users.
RC DRONES
From the smallest portable Pocket Drone, by Odyssey
Toys that folds as flat as a credit card to the most
sophisticated DJI Phantom 4K camera flying drones,
there is a wide spectrum of flying RC drones to
choose from. Horizon Hobby has launched their
First-Person-View (FPV) drones to experience the
Page 08 | Kids India Mag Issue: July 2017
More companies are using augmented reality tech-
nology in ways that are more elegant and playful, for
the end user. AirHogs Connect: Mission Drone Aug-
mented Reality RC, by Spin Master incorporates drone
technology, and uses an augmented reality controller
as a viewing device. The built-in play pattern is all
about initiating and completing missions, while
actively playing, and flying your drone.
Reach Robotics MekaMon battling Robots, Anki Over-
Drive Racing vehicles, and WowWee R.E.V vehicles
and R.E.V Air drones all encourage kids to drive their
air and land vehicles, with dexterity and purpose.
2. ELECTRONIC LEARNING
With a continued emphasis on STEM Learning, more
manufacturers are adding coding, programming and
logic-building into toys and games. The Fisher-Price
Think N Learn Code-A-Pillar teaches the basics of
computer programming to preschoolers who add
segments to a caterpillar-shaped toy. Each connect-
able segment represents a coded command which
the caterpillar will execute in sequence, such as turn-
ing, moving forward or reverse, adding sound compo-
nents and more.
Vtech Go Go Smart toys, little Bits Gadgets & Gizmos,