**Kid-Friendly AR Experiences From CES 2019**

At the world’s largest technology show, CES 2019 we saw blasters, bots, board games and brain teasers that get kids and families moving, playing, learning and engaging with each other.

With an anticipated growth of 200% over the next five years connected play is more than fun and games; according to Juniper Research, “Smart Toys will represent an $18 billion hardware and software market by 2023, up from an estimated $6 billion in 2018. With that kind of growth there is no surprise that innovators from around the world are creating new ways for kids to play, learn and explore the world with cool connected experiences.

The most innovative companies in connected play are designing experiences that are transforming the way families move, play, live and learn.

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**Nerf Laser Ops Pro — Hasbro**

CES KAPi Award Winner, Nerf Laser Ops Pro by Hasbro combines the active play of Nerf blaster play with popular video game features like game modes, scorekeeping, and leaderboards.

Right out of the box, Nerf Laser Ops Pro blasters are ready for head-to-head, live-action laser battles with unlimited shots of infrared bursts. Players have the choice to play connected with their smartphone or not.

The Nerf Laser Ops app offers access to real-time battle intel allowing players to customize their blasters, track their performance, earn power-ups, locate opponents during battle and check out how they stack up on the global leaderboard.

Attach your smartphone to the Alphapoint Blaster, launch the Nerf Laser Ops app (from the App Store or Google Play), select single player and jump into a drone zapping, video game-like AR experience.

Up to 64 players can play in one game, that’s more than most laser tag arenas. Nerf Laser Ops Pro is available online at at major retailers.

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**MekaMon — Reach Robotics**

Reach Robotics, the creators of the world’s first AR gaming robot, MekaMon, announced their upcoming launch of a dedicated education program Reach EDU.

Reach Robotics is constantly evolving and growing, they are “using robotics technology to create products that entertain, inspire, and ultimately educate” said Silas Adekunle, Reach Robotics CEO and Co-Founder.

With gamified learning systems built directly into the Reach Edu app, MekaMon builds on a wealth of research from kids, parents and teachers into the benefits of game-like education.

Launching with three core educational features including animation, draw and new visual programming suite, MekaCode, the app will include easily accessible activities and goal oriented ‘Missions’ that can be experienced at a pace that suits both students and educators. Players can play independently or in a multiplayer mode.

MekaMon V2 is currently available on MekaMon.com, Amazon.com and Apple.com. Operating alongside the existing MekaMon gaming app, Reach EDU will go live in Q1 2019.

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**GEIO From GJS Robots**

Powered by AI technology, virtual recognition and a high speed motor systems, GEIO from GJS Robots offers a multitude of immersive features for a blasting battling robotic warfare experience.

GEIO is endowed with “vision”, to attack enemy accurately via the app interface First Person View. There is facial recognition to recognize enemies and the owner. The experience is packed with AR lasers missiles, bombs and other booming battle gear as well as the ability to code your GEIO to your liking. Players can play individually or in multiplayer mode. GEIO is currently availble on Amazon.com

**PaiBots — Pai Technology**

PaiBots created by Pai Technology allow kids to create their own robot or one of six easy-to-follow in-app tutorials. Not only can they build their own robot but they can also code it too. There are over 30 interactive augmented reality puzzles to enable early learners to explore coding concepts like sequencing, looping, visual programming and more. The PaiBots are packed with motors, sensors and bluetooth connectivity to bring PaiBots to life by moving, dancing, creating sounds, lights music and beyond. There are endless possibilities. Available later this year.

Plugo — Shifu

Plugo created by Shifu is an AR gaming system designed to stimulate STEM skills through the power of augmented reality and education. By fusing physical and digital play Plugo unites gaming and learning math, vocabulary, dexterity, logical reasoning, critical thinking and more. Kids are engaged with games such as Quest, Count, Link, Steer and Piano. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, roll out your Plugo gaming base, insert your tablet, place the device on the gamepad, connect your kit of choice for the ultimate customized gaming and learning experience. Available later this year.

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SwapBots

British startup SwapBots, the collectible, customisable toys and game that come to life through augmented reality. The collectible toys use augmented reality to create a spectacular, interactive video game world around a physical toy. By swapping pieces of the SwapBots, the player can influence in-game attributes. The toy is ‘scanned’ by a mobile device to unlock it in the game using an advanced version of marker-based augmented reality. As the digital animation is overlaid onto the physical toy, it gives the appearance that the video game has broken out of the screen and arrived into the real world. The SwapBots toys can be assembled in hundreds of combinations, each of which results in differing in-game abilities. Available online later this year.

The Explorers — Unicorn Games

The Explorers created by Unicorn Games, part of The Electric Factory’s Incubator Rabbit, is a board game series that combines both traditional and augmented reality dynamics. Being a bridge between digital and physical worlds.

Unicorn Games took what’s best about board games: sitting around the table, the fun of game time, taking turns, and strategy. These games are intergenerational, allowing children and adults to find a place to enjoy playtime together.

Each game is played using an app that includes mini-game challenges, treasure hunts, and augmented reality objects.

The Explorers has sold more than 42,000 units across four Latin American countries, received three international awards and is looking to expand in North America and other markets.

This story was originally published on VRScout January 2019