Google Patents ‘Creepy’ Internet Toys to Run the Home 2


Leo Kelion reports on the BBC news website that Google has looked into making internet-connected toys that control smart home appliances.

A Google patent describes devices that would turn their heads towards users and listen to what they were saying, before sending commands to remote computer servers to control other devices.  The three-year old patent was spotted recently by the legal technology firm SmartUp.  It described the proposal as:

“One of Google’s creepiest patents yet”.

The Google patent suggests that the devices could be made into toys to encourage young children to interact with them.  However, campaigners have highlighted the privacy concerns with such devices which rather like Smart TVs send data back to remote servers, data which could potentially include private conversations.

Google was unable to confirm if they might go on to develop the devices.


2 thoughts on “Google Patents ‘Creepy’ Internet Toys to Run the Home

  • cloudstarer

    No surprise that Google are interested in covert everyday surveillance tech, first google glass, now this.

    Any bets the next thing will be a google watch

    Which will have the minor, rarely talked about feature of recording exactly where you are & all conversations in your area 24/7 then uploading them whenever you connect to the internet.

  • cloudstarer

    No surprise that Google are interested in covert everyday surveillance tech, first google glass, now this.

    Any bets the next thing will be a google watch

    Which will have the minor, rarely talked about feature of recording exactly where you are & all conversations in your area 24/7 then uploading them whenever you connect to the internet.

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