Julie by Worlds of Wonder

[Illiop]

Does anyone have her? How exactly does she work? I think she has one of the coolest commercials in the history of ever, but I'd love to know how she works. I'd be really curious to hear your experiences with her.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkU9SbIictc

[dollyprince]

Julie is not a cassette talking toy.

Rather, she is an interactive doll. She was very advanced for her time.
Julie responds to your voice. When you power her on, she will ask you to repeat her secret words. When the start up sequence is finished, Julie will recognise these words.
"Pretend" makes her talk about pretending and playing games. "Melody" makes her sing. "Hungry" makes her talk about eating. "Bedtime" makes her sleep. "Be quiet" makes her say "Shhh, are we making too much noise?". She will also respond to her name, "Julie".

Julie can also read. She comes with a book that she can use with her built in software. There were additional books sold, often with extra clothing, which came with computer cards that increase her vocabulary. There are metal sensors on her hand, allowing her to recognise the Magic Spots in the book. However these sensors usually do not work well.

Julie can tell if it is hot or cold, light or dark. She also has a motion sensor, allowing her to know when she is picked up or moved. If I remember correctly, she also has a tickle sensor? But I am not sure.

There was another doll similar in function, with no books or computer cards. Her name is Baby Heather. She can grow from an infant to 2 years of age. Her vocabulary increases as she grows.
Worlds of Wonder also made Pamela, who was not animatronic, but used a similar book and computer card system.

Julie's voice recognition and start up system, reminds me of Playmate's "Amazing" dolls. They were made some time after Julie and Pamela, but utilised the same technology.

Amazing Amy was released in the late 1990s. She reminds me of Pamela. The most similar Amazing doll to Julie, is "Amazing Mckayla". Even her start up routine is very similar, and she also has a light sensor. She was made in the mid 2000s.

Julie was the inspiration for many interactive dolls. I think she may be the very first of her kind.