London - Forget X-Boxes, Furbies, that mega Lego city coastguard patrol boat and even Monster High dolls.
The fastest-selling toy globally this year is the Robo Fish, with 15 million sold so far, and manufacturers Zuru have to produce 700 000 of the little swimmers every day to keep up with demand.
The brightly coloured aquatic robot toy springs to life and swims around realistically as soon as it is dropped in water, and deactivates as soon as it is removed and dried off, ready for the next paddle.
The fish has been a top five-selling toy in more than 40 countries and has won multiple awards, including a coveted place on this year’s Dream Toys list.
The toy range, predicted to be a top seller this Christmas, includes four Finding Nemo-inspired clownfish and four sharks.
In some places it’s being used as more than just a toy. UK-based swimming instructor Caroline Watson, of Sevenoaks, Kent, is helping her young charges learn to swim with the robotic fish.
Watson has started using the innovative toy during her pre-school swimming lessons, in order to help introduce her pupils to the world of swimming.
She said: “The Robo Fish are fantastic, I can’t stop telling people about them.
“Young children aren’t used to putting their heads under water, so with the help of Robo Fish, they really work in helping children conquer this challenge with no tears. They love the blue one.”
Named as one of this year’s Dream Toys by the Toy Retailers’ Association, Robo Fish mimic the motion and characteristics of real fish when dropped into water.
Developed by Hong Kong-based company Zuru using the newest in aquatic robotic technology, they activate when placed in water using carbon sensors. – Daily Mail