CES: PlayShifu Debuts New AR STEAM Products

PlayShifu debuted its latest augmented reality (AR) connected play toy offerings ahead of CES 2020 in Las Vegas this week.

New products include Shifu Tacto, three new gaming kits for Shifu Plugo, and a new experience for its AR globe, Shifu Orboot, which adds two new planets to explore. PlayShifu products are designed to teach foundational STEAM skills through physical and digital play.

“As we enter a new decade, PlayShifu’s latest toys will continue to positively integrate physical and digital play to develop foundational learning skills,” says Vivek Goyal, CEO of PlayShifu. “Whether your child is discovering new cultures around the world or learning physics using a catapult, our toys use the benefits of modern technology combined with tactile play to enhance the STEAM learning experience.”

Shifu Tacto is considered to be PlayShifu’s “new flagship gaming experience.” The line turns any tablet into an interactive board game that kids can explore through augmented interactions and tactile play. Three additional gaming sets are available to extend the platform, including Tacto Elements (chemistry), Tacto Laser (analytical thinking, creativity, and spatial reasoning), and Tacto Quest (problem-solving and analytical thinking).

Shifu Plugo is an AR-powered gaming system that consists of one gamepad, interchangeable gaming kits, and a companion app. Story-based challenge sets include Plugo Tunes, Plugo Slingshot, and Plugo Letters.

Kids can learn about planets through interactive experiences using the Shifu Orboot AR globe. The physical globe is powered by the Orboot app using a compatible touch-screen device. New interchangeable planets this year include World of Dinosaurs and Planet Mars.

All products will be available for sale through playshifu.com.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.