Now that's a smart toy: Green dinosaur links up to IBM's Watson supercomputer to answer a child's questions
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A new line of smart toys powered by the supercomputer, IBM Watson, could allow children to have personalised conversations with their toys.
The 'CogniToys' are designed to aid a child's development, allowing them to ask questions and receive an age-appropriate reply within a matter of seconds.
The company behind the design is now hoping to launch its range of supercomputer-powered dinosaur toys using a crowd funding campaign.
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A new line of smart toys powered by the supercomputer, IBM Watson, could allow children to have personalised conversations with their toys. Pictured is a prototype of one of a 'smart' dinosaur
The dinosaur range has been created by New York-based group, Elemental Path, who is currently attempting to raise $50,000 (£32,500) on Kickstarter to take the toys into production.
The toy's chest features a large button that, when pressed, begins the interaction.
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In a recent focus group in Pennsylvania, children asked the toy questions like, 'How far away is the moon?' and 'Who is Barack Obama?', according to the New York Observer.
'Each toy will get to know the child and grow with him/her, interacting directly with them to create an experience around each child's personal interests,' the company writes on Kickstarter.
These 'CogniToys' are designed to aid a child's development, allowing them to ask questions and receive an age-appropriate reply within a matter of seconds. The company behind the design is now hoping to launch its range of smart dinosaur toys that supports full speech recognition and is also able to tell jokes
'The toy will explore favourite colours, favourite toys, interests and use these to customise engagement.
'Even better, the toy has a personality of its own that changes over time.'
Elemental Path was put together after they won a developer competition which allowed them access to the IBM Watson technology.
The supercomputer originally rose to fame after beating quiz show champion Ken Jennings at Jeopardy
With the IBM Watson-powered system, the toy can respond to questions within a second, the company claims.
Within the dinosaur, there is a speaker, microphone, battery pack, and a small piece of hardware that connects to the cloud.
The toy is also designed to become smarter the more it is used. For instance, questions that have previously been asked, will be responded to faster the second time.
Prototypes of the CogniToys dinosaur are already being created using 3D printing system.
The current design is aimed at children aged four to seven, and the system can be customised to include information such as the child's name and age.
Early adopters can order the toy on Kickstarter for $99 (£65). The toys are expected to begin shipping on November 1st.
Prototypes of the CogniToys dinosaur are already been created using 3D printing system (left). Within the dinosaur, there is a speaker, microphone, battery pack, and a small piece of hardware that connects to the cloud. Pictured on the right is the IBM Watson supercomputer
The current design (illustration pictured) is aimed at children aged four to seven, and the system can be customised to include information such as the child's name and age. Early adopters can order the toy on Kickstarter for $99 or a two-pack for $190. The toys will begin shipping on November 1st
The company behind the design is now hoping to launch its range of smart dinosaur toys that supports full speech recognition and is also able to tell jokes. Pictured are prototype systems
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