News
Disney enters robotic market
Helen Jacobs May 1 2008, 10:55am
Wall E and Tinker Bell robotic toys to hit shelves in US from June.
Disney Consumer Products has linked with Pixar, Thinkway Toys and Wow Wee to developo robotic products that talk, dance, fly and respond to commands.
Inspired by Wall E and Tinker Bell, the products include an iDance Wall E dancing boombox, the Ultimate Wall E and a remote control Tinker Bell. Disney believes the products, which feature advanced programming and movement will be “big hits” with consumers at Christmas.
Chris Heatherly, vice president of Technology & Innovation, Disney Consumer Products, said: “We’re excited that there is now the ability and technology to bring that experience into people’s homes. With robotics, we have a great opportunity to bring our characters to life in a very realistic and new way.
If kids can interact, learn and play with our characters and they become an extension of their family, we will have done something that is truly magical.”
Albert Chan, president and CEO of Thinkway Toys, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to work with Disney on Wall E. This exceptional story is filled with classic Pixar humour, adventure, and characters that are endearing and inspirational. The team at Thinkway Toys has been fast at work with Disney, integrating these key elements into the new Wall E line of robotic toys.”
