Kolibree Magik toothbrush lets kids play with augmented reality while they brush
Augmented reality is slowly seeping into our everyday lives. It's not just for snaps and video games anymore. Case in point: a new kids toothbrush with AR.
French company Kolibree announced at CES 2018 a smart toothbrush that uses AR to make brushing teeth fun for kids.
The device is paired with a motion-tracking app that uses your smartphone's front-facing camera to put your kid right in the middle of the fun. It comes with a phone stand, so your kids don't have to worry about holding up a phone while they brush.
Kids can choose from 15 different games, featuring pirates, princesses, monsters, and a whole cast of fantasy characters.
In one version, kids are tasked with shooting a monster who is spreading cavities across the land. As it runs around the screen, the child in turn moves the toothbrush around her mouth to shoot it.
The toothbrush also allows parents to monitor their children's brushing habits. They'll see how many times a day their kids are brushing, how fast, and for how long.
Oh, and you don't need to stress about over-brushing: The app can only be used three times per day.
Another interesting feature: It teaches kids to brush. The Magik toothbrush app offers kids guidance on where to brush, how thoroughly to brush, and how long to stay in each spot.
This is not Kolibree's first go at a smart toothbrush. The company released Ara, a toothbrush that uses artificial intelligence to track oral health and encourage healthy brushing habits, in early 2017.
Magik will launch later this year for under $30. That's significantly more than your average toothbrush, but you get the brush, the mobile game, the stand, and a much happier kid for that price.
Check out more of our CES 2018 coverage.
Monica wrote for Mashable's Tech section with a focus on retail, internet of things, and the intersections of technology and social justice. She holds a degree in creative writing from Brown University, and has previously written for Dow Jones Media, the New York Post, Yahoo Finance, and others. In her free time, she can be found attempting to cook Asian food, buying board games, and looking for new hobbies.
