Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
After Hours

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

By Bill Detwiler February 16, 2006, 3:37 AM PST on Twitter billdetwiler

Image
1
of 12

Hitec Robonova-1
Hitec Robonova-1
Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Marguerite Reardon

Hitec’s Robonova-1 humanoid biped robot has been a big hit in Japan, where robot enthusiasts build the ‘bots and use them to fight each other. The robot made its U.S. debut at the International Toy Fair in New York City this week. The Robonova-1 kit is designed for serious robotics fans and costs about $1,000.

Marguerite Reardon
Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Lego’s Mindstorm robotics kit comes with 571 pieces. It’s equipped with four sensors: The new Ultrasonic Sensor becomes the “eyes” of the robot, measuring distance and movements as well as detecting objects. The new Sound Sensor is the “ears” of the robot, allowing creations to react to sound commands and patterns, as well as recognize tones. An improved Touch Sensor becomes the “fingers” of the robot, reacting to touch or release. And finally, the improved Light Sensor detects different colors and light intensity.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Want to spice up your data storage? Look no further than the fun and quirky Mimobots from Boston-based start-up Mimoco. These designer USB flash drives come in sizes ranging between 256MB to 1GB, and they’re preloaded with animation from the artist who’s character is depicted on the flash drive. The first two series, known as Cosmos and goSeries, feature nine characters designed by artist Yahid Rodriguez. A new artist series was launched at Toy Fair featuring characters from contemporary artists such as Tado and Shawnimal Smith.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

The Robonova-1 robots perform a coordinated dance for the crowd at the International Toy Fair in New York.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Lego’s popular Mindstorm build-it yourself robotics kit has gotten an upgrade in 2006. The “brain” of the new robot is the NXT brick, which runs a 32 bit microprocessor that can be programmed from a PC, or for the first time, a Mac. After building their robots, kids create programs within the software to make the robot do all sorts of things. Programs can be downloaded via a USB port or wirelessly using Bluetooth. The kit will be available in stores this August for about $250.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

The International Toy Fair was chock-full of tech toys this year, as toy makers showed off robots and gadgets for kids of all ages.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

The Digital Song & Story Player from Fisher-Price provides preschoolers with a durable and easy way to play their favorite downloadable songs and stories. Headphones are limited to a certain decibel level to protect kids’ ears. The player is scheduled to be available in stores this summer for $69.99.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

For those Saturday afternoons when kids want to rock the house, they can use the Digital Song & Story Player docking station speaker set.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

According to manufacturer Fisher-Price, the Kid-Tough Digital Camera is the first preschool-appropriate digital camera that’s tough enough and easy enough for a preschooler to use. It’s a real digital camera and includes a 1.3-inch backlit color LCD preview screen that lets kids instantly see the picture they’ve taken and view or delete previous shots. It’s scheduled to hit stores this summer for $69.99.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Nowadays kids don’t even have to play with real dolls. They can play with virtual ones using Mattel’s Pixel Chix. These three-dimensional friends eat, sleep and hang out–all at the touch of a button.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Mattel’s successful virtual dolls, the Pixel Chix, now have cars. Kids interact with their Pixel Chix by using the seven buttons on the house to dress them up in new outfits, drive them to a party or send them upstairs to bed.

Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

Fisher-Price’s Digital Song & Story Player comes preloaded with songs and stories. Moms and Dads can also add their own content to thernMP3 player, or they can buy new songs and stories from the Fisher-Price Online Content Store.

  • After Hours
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix

    Your email has been sent

Share: Photos: Toy Fair fun, from bots to Chix
Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
  • Account Information

    Contact Bill Detwiler

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Bill's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Google Chrome: Security and UI tips you need to know

    Google’s Chrome web browser held a 64.92% command of the global browser market share in April 2023. That means more users are working with Chrome in significantly more use cases: mobile, desktop and even business. Because of that, users of all types must employ Chrome with a measure of caution and intelligence. After all, most ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 8, 2023, 9:12 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Ergonomics policy

    A safe and healthy work environment provides the foundation for all employees to be at their most productive. Not only does it promote productivity in the workforce, but it also helps prevent accidents, lawsuits and, in extreme cases, serious injury and loss of life. A clear and robust ergonomic policy, like this one from TechRepublic ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 8, 2023, 7:58 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Enterprise IoT calculator: TCO and ROI

    Internet of Things devices serve a number of useful applications, such as environmental, asset or inventory monitoring/control, security functions, fitness devices and smartwatches. There is an array of IoT functions for both consumer and business purposes, but determining the total cost of ownership and the return on your enterprise investment in a widespread or large-scale ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Employee political activity policy

    No matter where in the world an enterprise operates, politics is going to play a major role in the lives of its employees. Depending on the country and the current political situation, it’s possible for affiliations, candidates and political parties to become a driving passion in your workforce. While an actively engaged workforce taking interest ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 8:42 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice