Tyler the Playful Tiger and other toys based on 'toy-telligence' are in demand for Christmas

Tyler the Playful Tiger, who roars, purrs and moves during play is among a group of animatronic toys tipped to be the most in demand for Christmas, according to the world’s oldest toy shop. [caption id=“attachment_1376123” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Cheap toys imported from China are displayed in a store. Reuters[/caption] Hamleys, where Britain’s Queen Elizabeth once bought toys for her children, are predicting the “toy-telligence” sector to prove the big hit of 2017, with the bulk of their top 10 for Christmas list featuring artificial intelligence or robotics. “There is definitely a (tech) influence coming through in toys … it has become very sophisticated,” Hamleys head buyer Victoria Kay told Reuters on Thursday. “These toys learn and develop as appose to a tech toy which will always say the same thing back to you.” A Luvabella Doll that learns phrases, reacts when you tickle its feet and plays peak-a-boo was also in the top 10, along with a globe that speaks facts and figures on different countries when tapped with a stylus pen. With just 74 days before Christmas, many children were busy trying out the “toy-telligence” range at Hamleys’ 136-year-old flagship toy emporium in London on Thursday before finalising their wish list for Santa Claus. “(I prefer toys) that talk back to me,” said six-year-old Lilly Hulkes-Dudman, clutching Tyler the Playful Tiger.