A lot of household items have gotten “smart” lately, your glasses, watch, weighing machine, and such, and it looks like plush toys are going down the same route. It has recently been discovered that several years ago, Google filed a patent for a connected toy that can interact with children and even show certain facial expression in response.
According to the patent, the smart teddy bear comes with microphones, cameras, speakers, motors and of course, wireless connectivity. It can listen and watch out for a cue, and then “interpret the command and map it to a media control device”. The bear can also show expression like tilt its head, furrow its brow or scratch its head with an arm. That’s not all though, the toy isn’t only for children. It can also interact and control other devices like smart home gadgets.
The patent was filed all the way back in 2012, and was granted just last Thursday. Will Google put this “technology” to use? It doesn’t seem likely, especially when everyone is concerned about their privacy, especially for a child. If it ever does come true, will you get s smart plush doll? I can’t help but think of all the horror movies that involves children toys.
(Source: USPTO via: Engadget, Android Authority)
