Mattel has just unveiled their new Jurassic World Kamigami Robots. Kids can choose from two designs – Velociraptor Blue and Villain Dinosaur – to build their own dinosaur robots using durable punch-out plastic pieces. The dinosaurs feature lifelike movement with anatomically correct legs and tails that wiggle, making it feel like you’re playing with your own real dinosaur. However, their most innovative feature is that they can link up to a free app, which lets kids control the dinosaur’s movements. A drag-and-drop coding interface teaches kids the fundamentals of code, giving it an educational twist to help kids develop STEM skills.
At Toy Fair, we got to check out these dinosaurs in person. The app has a high-tech, futuristic vibe, much like the tech seen in the Jurassic World films. The robots are able to detect each other – when they spot the enemy robot, an animation will play in which both bots growl and move cautiously around each other. The app allows you to control the dinosaur’s movements using pre-set code brackets, including a “dance party” mode that plays music and a moonwalk-like dance movement. The dinosaurs are equal parts lifelike and educational, making them a top candidate for STEM toys this year. Bridging the popular Jurassic World franchise with STEM education promises to be a great way to introduce kids to code.
These new bots are set to be available in Spring 2018 at a suggested retail price of $59.99.
