Google files patent for "smart teddy bear" that would watch and listen to users

[Aniallation]

Sources: 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/google-designs-creepy-toys-spy-5759857 

http://globalnews.ca/news/2015824/google-files-patent-for-smart-teddy-bear-that-would-watch-listen-to-users/

 

With all the baby monitor hacking and toys watching kids, are they really in privacy any more? Like back when Mattel was doing this with some Barbie dolls...

 

 

 

Google is working on a range of robotic toys that will spy on children using microphones and cameras.

 

The company was recently granted a patent - filed in 2012 - for smart teddy bears that will listen to and interact with kids.

 

The toys should be “cute” so that “young children may find [them] attractive”.

 

In a 21-page patent document, Google describes anthropomorphic devices that will detect when a child is looking at it and then turn its head towards the child to listen and watch.

 

“By making ‘eye contact’ with the user, the user is presented with a familiar form of social interaction in which two parties look at each other while communicating,” says the document.

 

The toys would then process the commands and provide a suitable response - and could also be used to control other devices around the home - such as smart TVs.

 

 

The patent filing – published on May 21 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – describes a stuffed toy, such as a bear, that would be able to control devices such as TVs and music players.

 

The user would relay commands to the toy using voice or gestures, meaning the toy would be equipped with microphones and cameras, hidden within the toy’s ears and eyes.

 

But here’s where it gets creepy.

 

Using its sensors and cameras, the cuddly toy would be able to sense your presence and turn its head around to look at you.

 

And for the tech news trolls:

If Luke or Linus see this, please don't feature this thread on the WAN show.

[Altecice]

Its nothing new, the S6 listens to you 24/7 as well as Samsung's smart TVs just so it can respond when you say the right keyword. Privacy is a lie and its stupid to believe we have any.

[FireofDestruction]

Using its sensors and cameras, the cuddly toy would be able to sense your presence and turn its head around to look at you------NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE that just a whole lotta NOPE too creepy

[deviant88]

Its nothing new, the S6 listens to you 24/7 as well as Samsung's smart TVs just so it can respond when you say the right keyword. Privacy is a lie and its stupid to believe we have any.

We dont believe we have any but we desire to have one,sadly we cant do much about other than unplug the internet cord or turn off electricity alltogheter,go live in the woods.

[Aniallation]

Its nothing new, the S6 listens to you 24/7 as well as Samsung's smart TVs just so it can respond when you say the right keyword. Privacy is a lie and its stupid to believe we have any.

It can be disabled on the S6 and afaik the Smart TVs as well (at the cost of constant voice commands, of course), but putting this in a teddy bear that pretty much no function but to listen to and watch you, is a bit creepy. It's a bit sad that the next generation of kids might just grow up completely used to people spying on them all the time.

[Delusional Phil]

I will never buy teddy bears for my kids in the future ... 

[EcoBoost]

It's a bit sad that the next generation of kids might just grow up completely used to people spying on them all the time.

This. Are we really going to see this soon a society where everybody is being constantly monitored?

[Colonel_Gerdauf]

Is it using an Intel CPU?

[Aniallation]

This. Are we really going to see this soon a society where everybody is being constantly monitored?

It's already started lol

 

NSA is always watching

[TroubleKlef]

Then it'll collect user data and send it to the cloud to analyze consumer's spending patterns.

[TopWargamer]

Kind of reminds me of the clown from The Game.

 

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

Its nothing new, the S6 listens to you 24/7 as well as Samsung's smart TVs just so it can respond when you say the right keyword. Privacy is a lie and its stupid to believe we have any.

 

That's because you can't be bothered to give yourself some.  Fake names, VPN, IP spoofing, blocking all unwanted cookies, using virtual machines or privacy-minded OSes, avoiding Google and Microsoft accounts, there are dozens of ways to give yourself varying degrees of privacy, and the more you combine them, the more you have. 

[ErickS89]

Smart Teddy Bear?

So Google, you trying to make pedobear an actual thing?

[Altecice]

That's because you can't be bothered to give yourself some.  Fake names, VPN, IP spoofing, blocking all unwanted cookies, using virtual machines or privacy-minded OSes, avoiding Google and Microsoft accounts, there are dozens of ways to give yourself varying degrees of privacy, and the more you combine them, the more you have. 

 

This is true but its impractical. 

[SeventhAnomaly]

Google's extensive research on ROBOTs came to this...

[Crosseyed Sniper]

I'll NEVER look at another teddy bear the same way again! NEVER!

[Darkman]

Wooooowwww....

WAIT WHAT THE FUCK

[FakezZ]

NSA... Really? Is that the best you can do? You guys have to try a lot more to be able to spy on me 24/7... 

[That Norwegian Guy]

Sorry Google, I think the Nazi SS have precedent on this particular patent.

[Master Disaster]

NSFW or for Kids

 

[Enferk]

So new way to spy people? Hey! Google if you read this. You should make a coffee maker or a bed so you can spy us even more!

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

So new way to spy people? Hey! Google if you read this. You should make a coffee maker or a bed so you can spy us even more!

Why a bed?  Once you all wear those health nonsense bracelets that also monitor your sleeping pattern, they know it all anyway.

[Thony]

Ted

PS. Skynet tactics. They gonna go after kids first. #PedoTeddy

[Enferk]

Why a bed?  Once you all wear those health nonsense bracelets that also monitor your sleeping pattern, they know it all anyway.

 Dunno, I just tried to think two ridiculous products that can spy consumers.

[Doobeedoo]

Wow, okay. Lovely, people already are aloof about their privacy and are not informed, this will really seal next gen of people to be completely spied without even be bothered.