As the technology behind sensors gets more sophisticated, savvy toy manufacturers are incorporating sensors into toys to make them more responsive and personal to the child. With the use of sensors, a toy “knows” when to play with a child. Some sensors are sound activated while others respond to movement or proximity. This year, sensors will be hidden in soft cuddly infant toys as well as in solid plastic toys for older children.

Here are some interesting sensor-ladden toys--look for these to hit the market sometime in the fall of this year.

Safari Gym Published on March 8th, 2002

As part of Vtech’s new line of infant toys called “Smart Sensations,” the Safari Gym uses sensor technology to respond to the baby’s actions. This toy creates a magical world where a baby’s natural movements trigger music and lights. The gym is a half circle surrounding structure with plush bumpers and a bar across the top from which dangle three animals. As the baby learns to bat at the parrot, butterfly, or monkey, the Safari Gym rewards the child’s movements with music and nature sounds. Other places in the gym respond to the baby’s moving feet or body.
Summary Age  0 - 1 Platform  N/A Price  $35.00 Category  Smart Toys Grade  ISBN  Company  VTech http://www.vtechkids.com

Musini Published on March 8th, 2002

The brainchild of Neurosmith, Musini could be the most creative and inventive toy of the year! Resembling a spaceship, Musini is a round plastic disk that is placed on the floor. Its sensors pick up vibrations created by a child’s movements (walking, dancing, jumping, clapping, etc) and transform those vibrations into units of music. Neurosmith has programmed the toy to combine these units of music into unique songs, which constantly change depending on the movements of the child. The programming also assesses the tempo and speed of the child’s movements and then creates the music to mirror the pace of the child’s actions. Research indicates that exposure to music at a very young age helps to develop the higher-level cognitive skills necessary for learning math and reading. Musini turns any room into a musical playground where children can compose music by using their bodies. Because it will feature five different musical styles and four different instrument selections, the possibilities for unique composition are endless. The pounding of little feet never sounded so good!
Summary Age  3 - 6 Platform  N/A Price  $70.00 Category  Smart Toys Grade  ISBN  Company  Neurosmith http://www.neurosmith.com

Smarty's Workshop Published on March 8th, 2002

Workbenches have always been a favorite toy. This year, kids can pretend to build and fix things with Smarty, an animated character who is attached to a unique workbench toy which features a liquid crystal display (LCD). This workbench is equipped with sensors so that Smarty “knows” what area of the workbench kids are playing on and he responds accordingly. Smarty becomes the child’s best buddy as they “build” projects together. Every time the child hammers, saws, or twists in a screw, Smarty knows and acknowledges the child’s efforts. He may even count the number of times a child does an action. In addition to this support during free play, the Smarty Workshop comes with 50 different projects that Smarty teaches the child to build. The LCD screen shows the child’s progress as he follows Smarty’s directions to build imaginary things.
Summary Age  3 - 5 Platform  N/A Price  $60.00 Category  Smart Toys Grade  ISBN  Company  VTech http://vtechkids.com

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