Looking back so far, 2010 marked a year of extensive innovation in the field of robotic toys for children. Parents and children enjoy these interactive toys that are some of the best educational tools out there. The three top toy robots of 2010 are the Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters, LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0, and the WowWee Tribot Robot Toy.
The Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters, released by SEGA Toys are newest fad among boys and girls alike. From a parent’s perspective, these are a great alternative to real-life hamsters. These toys are one of the first robotic toys that are response to their environment. Hamster tubes, available for separate purchase, are a great way to see just how much these hamsters can do. Not only do they run, scurry, and spin on wheels in their hamster play set, but they also run across the floor to different rooms! They may be next to your child one moment, then in the kitchen the next. There are two modes available for playing with the hamsters, nurturing and adventure mode. With the nurture mode, the hamsters respond to petting on their fur and nose with cooing and purring. In adventure mode they have great intelligent audio and mechanical responses to various environmental stimuli. These toys are expected to be the best toy of the year!
The LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is a great toolkit, perfect for any child ready to become an expert engineer. Not only will kids enjoy the great new modes of this upgraded robot, but they will enjoy putting it together and programming the system themselves! The best part about it is that it only takes 30 minutes to completely program! This newest model from LEGO’s line of customizable robotics contains 619 pieces, including sensors and motors, for assembly. With a 32-bit microprocessor, 4 input and 3 output cords, and Bluetooth and USB communication link, the intelligent NXT 2.0 is compatible with PC and MAC software. The innovative drag-and-drop software is an exciting new feature of the improved robotics. Children can personalize their robot with the Sound and Icon editors, share their projects on the LEGO site, and view the projects of others.
Finally, the WowWee Tribot Robot Toy is a dual toy, acting as a remote controlled robot or an autonomous bot, depending on which setting is most suited for your child. This talkative and animated bot is mounted on a three-wheel base with turning capabilities. The LED eyes, eyebrows, and pop-top head gives this robot real-life features. The most interesting feature is that the robot can be programmed to take a series of steps through your house or outside. The game modes are great to play with and keep your child entertained and happy! The downfall to this great robot is that it requires 8 AA and 3 AAA batteries. If your child plays with it constantly, the batteries themselves might get costly. However, the joy of having his/her very own robot might just be worth it!
