Furby

Furby is an electronic robotic toy created to resemble a small furry creature. It was introduced in 1998 by Tiger Electronics, a toy and video game company, and the Furby line has since been continued by Hasbro after acquiring Tiger Electronics. The original release became a cultural phenomenon and helped popularize interactive, AI-like toys in mainstream households.

The Furby design features a soft, fur-covered body with large eyes, movable ears, and a beak-like mouth. It is equipped with sensors that respond to light, touch, and sound, allowing for interactive play. The toy speaks Furbish, a constructed language unique to its early years, and can gradually learn English through user interaction. As it engages with a person, it may begin to respond in English phrases and mix in Furbish words, effectively simulating a language-learning process.

In operation, a Furby uses built-in software to respond to conversation, gestures, and actions. The more it is spoken to and played with, the more English vocabulary it tends to pick up, and its behavior and mood can appear to change over time. Early models did not rely on a constant internet connection, instead relying on on-device learning that could be influenced by repeated interactions. The toy’s evolving communication and personality contributed to its appeal and perception as a “learning” creature.

Over the years, Furby has seen several updated versions and reissues, including models with enhanced connectivity and companion apps. Versions such as Furby Boom and Furby Connect expanded features with wireless communication and app-based interactions, helping to keep the line popular among new generations of players.