Mattel’s Hello Barbie Hologram, a voice assistant matching with a walking, talking and dancing Barbie character projection will not be released as planned for the 2017 holiday season, it is understood. The animated toy will be held until 2018 due to additional testing of the platform.
Though it was a tough decision to hold the tech-forward toy back, Michelle Chidoni, vice president of global brand communications at Mattel, said that the company wants to conduct more tests. The new release date is yet to be determined, anticipated to be in 2018.
Mattel unveiled the Hello Barbie Hologram as its newest venture into tech meets toys last February. It includes a floating image of Barbie projected in a pink box that awakens when a user says Hello Barbie.
The animated Barbie can set reminders, check the weather and play music and games. Her skin and clothes can all be customized.
