[Toyo Playground Review] A small programming robot that can be played with cards from age 3

Toyo Playground is a card-based programming experience set designed for Sony Interactive Entertainment’s “toio” robot toys. The official page describes it as a product that allows children to move the Toio Core Cube as they wish by “simply placing cards in the path of the cube. Recommended for ages 3 and up, it is designed as an entry point for children who are new to programming. (Small cube-shaped robot toy, toio

Product Overview

One of the features of this program is that it allows children to create robot movements simply by arranging cards without writing code on a computer or tablet. The cards contain commands to move forward, turn, make a sound, repeat, record, and so on, allowing children to experience programming concepts such as “order,” “branching,” and “repeat” while working with their hands. Sony’s official toio introduction page also describes toio as a robot toy that allows children to experience the basic elements of programming while playing. (Sony )

However, the toio Playground is a card set and cannot be played by itself. The official page also clearly states that the toio Core Cube is sold separately. While it is easy to add a toio core cube if a family already has one, first-time buyers need to consider the total price, including the cube and charger.

トイオ・プレイグラウンド | タイトル | toio（トイオ）

キューブの通り道にカードを置くだけ。思いどおりにキューブが動きます。はじめてのプログラミング体験にピッタリ。

toio.io

Summary of key points

What is Toyo Playground?

• Card-based programming robotics materials for ages 3 and up
• Toio Core: Placing cards in the path of the cube to create movement
• There are two types: basic and advanced.
• Basic consists of 48 cards with 22 types, and Advanced consists of 96 cards with 49 types
• Cannot be played with the card set by itself, requires the Toio Core Cube
• The feature is that you can get started without a computer or tablet.

good point

• Easy to play intuitively, even for small children, since all they have to do is place a card.
• Easy to introduce, even for families who are not good at computer operation
• Parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren can play together, thinking together.
• Advanced touches on slightly more advanced concepts such as “interruptions” and “record and playback”.
• Easy to expand the play style by combining with crafts and familiar objects
• If a family already has a toy cube, they can add more play for relatively little additional cost.

points of concern

• Toio Core Cube sold separately
• If you are buying toio for the first time, you need to look at the cost, including the unit and charger, not just the card price.
• Parental support is helpful until you learn the meaning of the instruction card.
• Not a robot designed to talk, watch over, or heal.
• Not many purchaser reviews yet, so less decision-making material for word-of-mouth-oriented people.

Users who may be suitable for

• Families who want to give their children ages 3 and up their first programming experience.
• People are looking for an educational robot that can be played with without a computer or tablet.
• Grandparents who want to choose a gift for their grandchildren that allows parents and children to play together.
• Families that already have a Toio Core Cube
• Children who like robots, crafts, playing with mazes, and trial and error
• People who are looking for a learning robot toy, not a talking robot.

rough conclusion

Toyo Playground is not a robot that talks or watches over you, but a programming robot educational material for parents and children, in which children think about “how to move it” while arranging the cards.

It is especially suited for families who want their children, from around age 3 to early elementary school age, to experience programming ideas through play.

Toyo Playground Features

Just place a card, and the cube moves.

In the toio Playground, when a card is placed in the path of the cube, the toio Core Cube reads the card and moves according to the instructions. The official page explains that the cube moves as desired simply by placing a card on it, which is why it is suitable for first-time programming experiences.

Most general programming materials involve arranging blocks on a screen or operating a tablet. On the other hand, Toyo Playground arranges real cards, making it easy to play even for children who have difficulty typing or operating a mouse.

Basic and Advanced

Toyo Playground has a basic and an advanced version.

Basic is 48 cards with 22 different cards and is intended for families who want to start with basic moves. Advanced is a 96-card set of 49 different cards that includes all the cards in Basic, plus additional action cards, interrupt cards, and record/playback cards.

If you are new to toio and want to see how it works, the Basic is a good choice; if you want to play with it for a long time or use it with your siblings, the Advanced is a good choice. The price difference is not too great, so if a family already owns a toio unit, it may be worth choosing the advanced version from the start.

Easy-to-start programming experience for ages 3 and up

The official page states that the recommended age range is 3 years and up. Even young children can play with this product by placing cards, moving the cube, seeing the result, and changing the placement again, which easily leads to a “think and try” experience.

However, rather than having a 3-year-old child understand and play all by himself/herself, we imagine that an adult will play with him/her at first, looking at the meanings of the cards together. Parents and children should talk together, “Which way will it turn next? If you and your child talk about it while asking, “Which way will it turn next?

Toyo Playground Price

The MSRP, which can be found on the official page, is as follows

Prices and card counts for Basic and Advanced are listed on the official page. The Basic has 48 cards and 22 varieties, while the Advanced has 96 cards and 49 varieties.

It is important to note that the card set by itself does not include the toioCore Cube. The Switch Science product page also indicates that the toio Core Cube and Core Cube charger are required separately for use.

This makes it an easy price to buy as an additional card for families that already have a Toio, but for first-time buyers, we recommend comparing the price of a debut set or a cube that includes the cube itself.

Specifications Summary

Number of cards, price, age range, and number of players are based on the official page. Handling of card washing and the number of cards installed is explained on the toio support page.

Good reviews and a good reputation of Toyo Playground.

Good review 1: Easy programming with just a card.

Easy to program cubes by simply arranging cards; feels easier than GoGo robot programming.

source URL: https://daivoy.com/toio-playground-command/

This review can be found within an article on a personal blog that actually reviews toio-related products. The reviewer appreciates the card manipulation of the Toio Playground system and the ease with which the cubes can be moved. (Dieboi )

Good review 2: Advance has a large number of cards and is easy to play for a long time.

There are more card types in Advanced than in Basic, and you can get a better idea of interruptions and record and playback. Considering the price difference, the Advanced feels like a better value.

source URL: https://daivoy.com/toio-playground-advance/

The actual device review article compares the price, number of cards, and type of cards between the Basic and the Advance, and presents the Advance as having a lower price per card. The article evaluates the Advance because the concept of record creation and interruptions also appears in the programming. (Dieboi )

Good review 3: No PC or tablet required to get started.

It is easy to understand that toio cube can be moved by simply placing a card on it, without using a PC or tablet.

source URL: https://www.switch-science.com/products/9601

The sales page introduces the fact that the product provides a programming experience without the need for a PC or tablet, and that you can move the cube by simply placing cards in the path of the cube. This is information derived from the sales page and is not a buyer review, but it is helpful in understanding the ease of use of the product. (Switch Science )

Good review 4: Highly rated by a few on Amazon

Amazon shows 4.8 out of 5 stars and 4 global ratings at the time of confirmation.

source URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CZTXML49

On the Amazon product page, Toyo Playground Advance is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars at the time of confirmation, with a 4 global rating. However, the number of reviews is small, so it is best not to judge too much based on the rating score alone. (Amazon Japan )

Neutral and Dissatisfied Reviews

Neutral and dissatisfied reviews 1: Small population of buyer reviews

There are not yet many reviews that can be checked online, and there is little information available to judge the actual long-term use of the product in the home.

The product review section of Yodobashi.com shows 0 reviews for the Toyo Playground Advance at the time of confirmation; a small number of ratings can be found on Amazon, but it is difficult to say that enough buyer reviews have been accumulated across multiple stores. (Yodobashi.com )

Neutral/Unsatisfied Review 2: Needs support until he learns what the cards mean.

Because there are many types of instruction cards, it is necessary to learn the meaning of the cards at first.

In the review article of the actual device, it is mentioned that while Advance has many types of cards and expands what can be done, it requires time to understand the meaning of each card at first. Especially for children around 3 years old, it will be easier for them to play if a parent or guardian watches with them on the side. (Dieboi )

Neutral/Unsatisfied Review 3: Can’t play with cards alone.

You can’t just buy a set of cards and play, you need a toio core cube and a charger.

This is not a word of advice, but rather an important note before purchasing. The official page clearly states that the Toio Core Cube is sold separately. Families buying toio for the first time should not make a decision based solely on the card price. (Small cube-shaped robotic toy, toio

Neutral/Unsatisfied Review 4: Reaction sounds cannot be turned off.

The reaction sound when the cube steps on a card cannot be turned off.

The toio support page explains that the reaction sound when the cube steps on a card cannot be turned off. Families who wish to avoid toys that make noise, or who wish to use them quietly at night, should consider the time and place of use. (toio Support )

General comments as seen by word of mouth

Reviews of the Toyo Playground are not numerous at this time; while a small number of high ratings can be found on Amazon, Yodobashi shows zero reviews. (Yodobashi.com)

Therefore, for those who want to make a selection based on word-of-mouth, there is still not much to judge. However, from the official information and reviews of actual devices, the concept of a robot that moves simply by placing cards is clear, and the product is easy to understand for a first programming experience.

Before purchasing, it is best to check whether you have a TOIO unit, whether the child will be interested in playing cards, and whether an adult can make time to play with him or her.

Disadvantages of the Toio Playground

Toio Core Cube sold separately

The biggest caveat is that the card set cannot be played by itself. The official page also states that the Toio Core Cube is sold separately. (Small cube-shaped robot toy, toio

For families that already have a Toio unit, it is easy to buy it as additional content, but first-time buyers should look at a budget that includes the unit, charger, and card set.

Can’t talk or watch over them.

Toyo Playground is not a conversational AI robot or a guardian robot. It is not a product that watches over family members with a camera, talks to the elderly, or makes remote calls via a smartphone; it is only a programming experience robot for children.

If chosen as a gift for an elderly family member, it is interesting as an “educational toy to play with grandchildren,” but it has different uses as a “talking companion for parents living alone” or for “watching over” purposes.

Word of mouth is still scarce.

A small number of ratings can be found on Amazon, but not many reviews. Yodobashi had 0 reviews at the time of confirmation. (Yodobashi.com)

While the product’s contents are easy to confirm through official information, it is still difficult to fully judge from word-of-mouth how the product will be used long-term at home, whether children will play with it without getting bored, and whether it is easy to use with siblings.

The more cards you have, the more adult support you will need.

Advance has more cards and more things to do. On the other hand, it is necessary to learn “what this card does” at first, and even though it is intended for ages 3 and up, it is safe for younger children to have adult support.

FAQ

Bulleted summaries

• Price: Basic 3,278 yen, Advanced 4,378 yen is the official suggested retail price
• What you can do: Place cards to move the toio Core Cube and experience programming ideas.
• Supported OS: Card play itself does not require a PC, smartphone, or tablet
• Disadvantages: Toio core cubes are sold separately, and the number of reviews is still small
• Software update: toio Core Cube has a system software update

How much does Toyo Playground cost?

The official page lists the MSRP for Toyo Playground Basic as 3,278 yen (including tax) and the MSRP for Advanced as 4,378 yen (including tax). The Basic Debut Set is introduced at a total price of 12,980 yen (including tax) for a single item. (Small cube-shaped robot toy, toio

However, the selling price and availability at each store may change. When purchasing, please check the official page or the retailer’s page for the latest prices.

What can I do at Toyo Playground?

Toio Core. By placing cards in the path of the cube, you can make the cube advance, bend, and make sounds. With Advance, you can also use additional action cards, interrupt cards, and record/playback cards. (Small cube-shaped robot toy, toio

The program allows children to experience programming ideas by arranging cards, observing their movements, and rearranging them if they fail.

Is there a supported OS?

Toyo Playground card play itself can be played without a PC, smartphone, or tablet. Because the cards are placed and the cube is moved, this product is easy to use without worrying about the operating system. (Switch Science )

On the other hand, if you want to use another service, such as toio Do for visual programming, you need to check the compatible devices and browser conditions. It is advisable to make a distinction between playing with just a set of cards and programming using a PC.

What are the disadvantages of Toyo Playground?

The main disadvantage is that the Toio Core Cube is sold separately. Since the card set alone cannot be played with, first-time buyers should make a decision based on the total price, including the main unit and charger. (Small cube-shaped robot toy, toio

Also, the number of buyer reviews is not yet large; a small number of high ratings can be found on Amazon, but Yodobashi has zero reviews at the time of confirmation. If you value reviews, it is safe to say that you will see an increase in the number of reviews in the future. (Yodobashi.com)

Is there a software update?

The toio Core Cube has a system software update. The Switch Science product page also informs that the Cube, which is already on the market, can be played by just buying the card through a firmware update. (Switch Science )

If you are using a used or previous Toio Cube, it is a good idea to check how to update it if necessary.

comprehensive evaluation

Toyo Playground is an easy-to-understand programming tool that allows children to place a card, move a cube, see the result, and try again, designed for ages 3 and up, and can be started without a computer or tablet, making it an easy product to incorporate as a first robotics teaching tool.

What is especially nice is that the game is not completed only on the screen. Because the little cubes actually move, it is easy for children to feel that the robot moved with the cards they lined up. Parents and children can easily spend time discussing “why it didn’t work” and “how to arrange the cards next time.

On the other hand, it is not a robot designed to talk, heal, or watch over you. Also, since the toio Core Cube is sold separately, it is important not to judge a first-time buyer based on card price alone.

Overall, Toyo Playground is a robot educational material suitable for families who want to enjoy thinking and playing with their children. Conversely, if you expect the robot to talk to elderly family members or watch over them in their daily lives, you should consider a conversational robot or a guardian robot, which would better suit your purpose.

Comparison with “Mia,” a talking cat-shaped robot

Both Toyo Playground and Mia are suitable for families interested in robots, but their purposes are quite different.

Toyo Playground is a programming material that allows children to think with their hands. It is suitable for applications where parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren spend time playing together.

Mia, on the other hand, is a type of robot that accompanies you in your daily life through conversation and healing. If you are looking for a companion for an elderly family member or an opportunity to communicate with other family members, a conversational robot like Mia may be more suitable for your purpose.

👇 Talking cat-shaped robot “Mia” that speaks 47 dialects nationwide

ミーア / Mia

方言を話す、おしゃべりネコ型ロボット

mia-cat.com

summary

Toyo Playground is a programming experience set for Toio that can be played with cards from 3 years old. Since movement can be created simply by placing cards in the path of the cube, users can experience robot movement and programming ideas without the use of a computer or tablet. (Small cube-shaped robot toy, toio

The good thing is that the operation is intuitive and easy for parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren, to play together. If you choose the advanced version, you can increase the number of cards and expand the game to slightly more advanced play, such as interruptions, record and playback.

On the other hand, the fact that the toio core cube is sold separately, that there are still only a few reviews, and that it is not suitable for conversational or watch-over applications are points to check before purchasing.

Ultimately, if you are looking for an educational robot that thinks with your child, the Toyo Playground is a good candidate, while a conversational robot like Mia is a good candidate if you value conversation and healing with your family.

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