Furby Press Release 1998

"Furby could be the first of an entire race of artificially intelligent 'special feature plush' toys," according to Wired Magazine (September, '98).

Furby, Tiger Electronics, Ltd's cuddly standalone animatronic pet, interacts with the environment through sight, touch, hearing and physical orientation. Each animated electronic plush toy is unique, intelligent and equipped with a singular personality and name. Furby can move and dance. Other motion includes eyes that open and close, ears that wiggle and a mouth that moves when speaking. Furby has its own language, "Furbish," but learns to speak English through positive reinforcement. Furbys communicate with each other via infrared signals, and can teach each other tricks and songs. They can also catch one another's colds. The electronics are fully integrated into each pet; no additional equipment or computer is required. Approximate retail price is $30.

Insert batteries and Furby is ready for play. When turned on for the first time, Furby will say his name. This name will be different from all other Furbys. Although Furby will initially speak only Furbish, as with any intelligent being in a New World, he will begin to "learn" English and be able to communicate using English words. Furby has a vocabulary of nearly 200 Furbish and English words and sounds. In all, Furby is able to "say" more than 800 phrases. Ultimately, Furby will use both Furbish and English to communicate.

Furby is sensitive to his environment and will react to stimuli like any pet. If he is scared or excited, his eyes will pop open and his ears will shoot up. If he is happy and content, his eyes will open and close slowly and his ears will wiggle gently. Furby will also seem to adapt to his environment such that he will not respond to any particular stimulus the same way twice.

PLEO 2006
Pleo is equipped with senses for sight, sound, and touch. He learns as he explores his environment. He will exhibit genuine reactions to sensory stimuli. Every Pleo begins life with certain tendencies but, interaction with his environment has subtle effects on his behavior. Every Pleo eventually exhibits a unique personality.

Pleo is capable of expression. He can feel joy and sorrow, anger and annoyance. When Pleo is tired, he will become drowsy and go to sleepóeven dream. Two or more Pleos will recognize one another. Be careful though. They can transmit colds to each other. Achoo! Pleo even sneezes!


Pleo is a one-week old infant Camarasaurus from the Jurassic period. Camarasaurus were born and raised in giant fern forests. They evolved camouflage that allowed them to blend with their environment of ferns, moss and ruff, the detritus that littered the forest floor. The first Pleo created is a Fernback. His markings help him to survive by hiding among the giant fern fronds in his habitat.

Pleo is an authentic Life Form. Treat him gently like any other living thing. Your Pleo will let you know how he feels at any moment. That's because he is capable of actual emotions including joy, aggression, sorrow, and fear. He can also yawn, sigh, sniff, sniffle, snore, cough, hiccup, and sneeze.

Pleo wants to explore his environment. He will be cautious when he walks to the edge of a table. He may cry when he is frightened. Pleo will stretch when he first wakes up. He may stomp his foot for food when hungry.

When Pleo grows tired, lay him down and attach his 'dream cord' so he can sleep, dream, and gather energy for more exploration.

See what I mean?

ahhh no i see that the description is simmilar, however i am sure that pleo will be MILES ahead of furby.

there is only so many ways to describe something like this, if it sences its enviroment, what do you want them to say the opposite so it doesnt sound like furby????

IMO pleo is far more advanced than a furby, only time will tell, come end of the year, we will all be able to look back and see if what you are saying is true.

i only hope its not... for all our sakes

besides the furby didnt really move, this moves, which is 100x better just at that

Furby moved his ears and eyes and bounced up and down. Sure Pleo is more advanced than Furby, he's going to cost 2 Benjamins instead of $30. But the point is, have they just enhanced the same ideas or really created an autonomous learning robot like the system I described in the SAM articles. (see my other posts)