Walking and talking: Dolls may soon come equipped with “social behavior” chips, endowing them with the ability to “talk” to one another (they’d also be linked wirelessly). The toys might walk on legs made from polymer gels, which bend in response to laser signals. In this world, Barbies might have tea parties, maybe even start to eye the G.I. Joe next door.
Hugging dolls: Eventually dolls and other toys may achieve even more sophisticated personalities. Children will talk to them, and the robots, as it were, will talk back. With the aid of skin resistance and temperature sensors, the toys will sense a child’s emotional state and respond accordingly: if the child’s upset, the plaything may give a hug or speak more softly; if the child’s angry, it might hide in a corner. At this point, says Pearson, “the doll ceases to be a toy and will have the same basic legal protections as an animal.”
Virtual princesses: By 2010, contact lenses may allow kids (and adults) to play in three-dimensional virtual worlds. A child’s wildest dreams would become a reality–virtual animals, fairy princesses and pets would fill his or her room. Parents would no longer have to worry about screen-potato kids: a child could play virtual soccer with Manchester United or dance with Christina Aguilera. “Instead of using a joystick, you are using your whole body,” says Barry Pusitz, senior account manager at Vivid Group, a Toronto firm that’s developing “gesture” technology. Vivid plans to market a “wraparound” 3-D game (it uses a screen rather than contact lenses) next year for about $7,500. So make that play date now.
