6 of the Coolest Science Toys Coming Out in 2015 [Slide Show]
Take a sneak peek at the geeky gadgets and games that made their debut at the 2015 Toy Fair
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6 of the Coolest Science Toys Coming Out in 2015 [Slide Show]
- Anki—Overdrive ($150, available September) AI cars are here. Controlled by smartphones, Anki race cars know where opponents are on the course, can fire weapons to attack them and even “level-up”—gain speed or better virtual weapons for future races. This year the tracks are modular. No matter the configuration, the cars know where to drive, never zooming off the track, based on information embedded in special ink on the tracks. Infrared cameras on the vehicles’ undercarriages read this directional data 500 times a second and relay it to the onboard 50-megahertz computer and your phone. Credit: Courtesy Anki
- WowWee—MiPosaur ($119.99, available in autumn) “Prehistoric” doesn’t come close to describing MiPosaur, a sensor-laden, self-balancing, AI dino. With motion control similar to a Segway, MiPosaur is a mobile inverted pendulum that continuously realigns its center of balance (with the help of its flexible tail and tiny T. rex arms). A user can control it with hand gestures, via a mobile app or with its ball, which the dinosaur can track, chase and guard. Oh, and it can dance, too. Credit: Courtesy WowWee
- LEGO—Spaceport ($119.99, available August) As we all eagerly watch the step-by-step arrival of commercial spaceflight, you can build LEGO’s Spaceport brick by brick. Complete with space shuttle, launch pad, countdown clock, commanders and astronauts, the set will be ready for liftoff in no time. And not to worry, even if you want to take your sweet time to finish, there is little doubt it will be complete before humans really head for Mars. Credit: Amber Williams
- HEXBUG—VEX Robotics da Vinci’s Flyer ($14.99, available in autumn) The “airscrew,” designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1493, is considered the first contemplation of vertical flight and the inspiration for the modern-day helicopter. Da Vinci called for an aircraft with a 4.5-meter-wide canvas screw but this 25-centimeter model, built from a series of gears and powered by a hand crank, showcases the mechanics just as well. Unfortunately, no matter how hard you crank the airscrew will stay Earthbound; although it’s a prime example of da Vinci’s genius, the flyer—at any scale—is too heavy for liftoff. Credit: Courtesy Hexbug
- Spin Master—Bunchems (megapack of 370: $19.99, available August) Humans have roamed Earth for thousands of years, yet nature hasn’t stopped inspiring us along the way. Bunchems, soft-plastic versions of seed burs, came out of a hike by one of Spin Master’s toy designers, who ended the trip with socks covered in the prickly casings. Like burs, these dime-size balls connect to one another with flexible hooks. It’s more or less an erector set for soft creations—and without the delay of figuring out which pieces snap together. Credit: Amber Williams
- HEXBUG—Aquabot Jellyfish ($14.99, available in spring) High-tech jellyfish, anyone? This glowing sea creature contains a ducted impeller motor that lets it twirl and glide through the water on 18 preprogrammed swimming routines. Placing it in the water turns it on and if it enters sleep mode, you can reawaken it with a tap to the glass, which is registered by an onboard vibration sensor. Credit: Courtesy Hexbug
