Some of the new characters and technologies that were introduced in the newest Star Wars film are also popping up at CES 2016—such as with the Sphero Force Band.
Earlier this year, Sphero's smartphone-controlled BB-8 Droid Toy became one of the sought-after toys for kids. Now, the brand is introducing an even more sci-fi way to take control of the droid. By strapping on the Force Band, users are able to harness the power of the force to move the droid around. Using simple sets of gestures, users are able to motion for the BB-8 droid to move left, right, forwards or backwards.
Since the band isn't set for release until later this fall, it's estimated that the design of the Force Band strap will undergo some changes following CES 2016.
Droid-Controlling Wearables
The Sphero Force Band Excites Star Wars Fans at CES 2016
Trend Themes
1. Droid-controlling Wearables - The Sphero Force Band allows users to control a droid using the power of the force, creating opportunities for wearable technology that can interact with other devices.
2. Smartphone-controlled Toys - Sphero's smartphone-controlled BB-8 Droid Toy became popular and paved the way for more interactive toys that can be controlled using mobile devices.
3. Gesture-based Controls - Simple sets of gestures can control the movement of the BB-8 droid, indicating potential for further development of gesture-based control systems in various industries.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - The success of Sphero's BB-8 Droid Toy and the Force Band demonstrates a market opportunity for toy manufacturers to create interactive and smartphone-controlled toys.
2. Wearable Technology - The introduction of the Sphero Force Band highlights the potential for innovative wearable technology that can interact with other devices and offer new user experiences.
3. Gesture Recognition - The use of simple gestures to control the BB-8 droid showcases the potential for gesture recognition technology to enhance user interfaces in multiple industries, such as gaming or home automation.