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Tokyo Toy Show goes to the dogs (pictures)

Canine robots were a major draw at the 2012 International Tokyo Toy Show, which featured 35,000 new playthings from kids' cars to crying dolls.

Tim Hornyak
Crave freelancer Tim Hornyak is the author of "Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots." He has been writing about Japanese culture and technology for a decade. E-mail Tim.
Tim Hornyak
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iPhone friends

The 2012 International Tokyo Toy show kicked off this week in Japan's capital, with some 35,000 new toys on display for kids of all ages. Bandai's Smartpet is one of several toy robot dogs at the trade show. With an iPhone or iPod Touch for a face, it responds to voice commands and gestures with more than 100 reactions. The app lets its personality grow as it interacts with its owner.
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The ultimate kid car

Toyota's Camatte is a concept EV designed for kids. The three-seater is far from roomy, but the whole family can change the interior and exterior to the look they like.
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Flights of fancy

RC company Kyosho was showing off this orb, dubbed the Flying Ball. It has two internal rotors and zips around at a good clip, though the rechargeable batteries drain pretty quickly. The company didn't announce details on when it would be released.
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i-Sodog

A followup to the humanoid robot i-Sobot, Takara Tomy's i-Sodog is a phone-controlled robo-canine that comes with a host of preset motions including dancing to music. It can also respond to voice commands and touch, but it isn't as richly interactive as the late Aibo from Sony. It's expected to go on sale in Japan in 2013.
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Otamatone

It's easy to annoy the heck out of everyone around you with Otamatone Deluxe, the latest in a series of wacky instruments from Cube Works. Created in collaboration with offbeat musical ensemble Maywa Denki, the Otamatone has a touch-sensitive neck and squeezable head that produce a range of ear-splitting, nails-on-chalkboard shrieks.
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Wappy goes iOS

Sega Toys' Wappy Dog, the combination toy and Nintendo DS game, now has an iOS app. The plastic pooch has various sensors for interaction but can also play with users via its app for iPhone and iPad.
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Pokemon to go

This compact done up like the Pikachu character from the Pokemon franchise is a perennial favorite at kids' events in Japan.
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Sun-loving turtles

Also from Takara Tomy, Solar Pets are turtles that are powered by solar energy. With a solar panel on their shells, they move around slowly in response to light. Tomy hasn't announced plans for a release yet.
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Superdeluxe superrobot

Bandai and Tamashii Nations were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Mazinger Z franchise with this deluxe figurine of the titular robot character. Consisting of 30 parts and accessories as well as intricate detailing, the DX Soul of Chogokin Mazinger Z goes on sale in December for some $460.
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For budding nurses

Takara Tomy's Yumechan is a doll with a twist: it cries when vaccinated. Priced around $52, Yumechan comes with a play syringe, a bib to catch her tears, and a stethoscope--everything a little nurse could want.
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Domino Dozer

Happinet's Domino Dozer takes some of the work out of carefully placing things on the ground to knock them over. Priced around $40, the toy truck automatically deposits simple plastic rectangles in long rows, ideal for budding record breakers.
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Plastic friends

Lego was promoting its Friends line of doll-oriented sets with these four-foot-tall dolls made of the plastic bricks.
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Hall of Golden Bricks

This re-creation of a temple at Hiraizumi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by Lego freak Kazuyoshi Naoe out of 30,000 bricks.
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Edible toys?

Visitors to the toy show were allowed to smell, but not eat, these giant buns made to celebrate Anpanman, an uberpopular animated character whose head is a bean-jam bun.

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