# Autonomous Education Kids gain autonomy with responsive technology that encourages self-education. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Feb 28, 2018 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/interactive-education ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.6/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Autonomous Education trend? **Autonomous Education:** As kids become increasingly accustomed to technology, parents are turning to products that feature heightened interactivity and responsive qualities to add an element of education to their early upbringing. More than just a source of entertainment, these toys offer smart, responsive technology to provide education in a more engaging, autonomous manner. Offering ways to learn through methods of playful engagement, these examples not only showcase the use of smart technology among kids, but also the move toward more autonomy and self-education. ## The consumer insight behind the Autonomous Education trend Parents of young children today are typically Millennials who are accustomed to more digitally connected lifestyles. Furthermore, these young parents want their children to be as well equipped for future technologies as possible. Thus a shift can be observed, wherein screentime is no longer perceived as a hindrance to the growth of children but as necessary to their development. Ultimately, technology is accepted as the main form of communication for young parents and their children today. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 24, 2017 to Feb 23, 2018 - Published: Feb 28, 2018 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Autonomous Education trend ### Autonomous Education Parents are turning to smart and interactive toys and products to encourage self-education and technology use among young children. ### STEM Education Young children have a growing interest in STEM education, which is being encouraged through interactive and playful robotics and educational storybooks. ### Intelligent Voice-Control Toys and educational tools are incorporating intelligent voice-control technology to offer a more interactive and responsive experience for children. ## What the Autonomous Education trend means for industry ### For Education Technology Companies can develop and market innovative and interactive technologies aimed at encouraging self-education and STEM learning among young children. ### For Toy Manufacturing Manufacturers can create smart and interactive toys that enhance learning and development, while catering to the growing interest among parents for educational playtime. ### For IoT IoT companies that prioritize child safety and privacy can create intelligent and voice-controlled toys that offer interactive play while protecting young children from harm. ## Workshop question How could you adapt your product or service to offer your consumers more autonomy and independence? ## Trend signals for Autonomous Education Trend score 4.6 out of 10, from popularity 64%, activity 64%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 64% - Activity: 64% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Autonomous Education trend 6 featured examples from Jan 24, 2017 to Feb 23, 2018. - [Interactive STEM Education Storybooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/discover-wonders): The Discover Wonders Talking Books are Fun to Use (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Publishers can leverage technology to create books that offer a highly interactive and engaging learning experience for children and parents. - [Entry-Level STEM Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/codey-rocky): The 'Codey Rocky' Robot Teaches Kids About Coding and AI (Category: Tech) Implication: The 'Codey Rocky' robot presents an opportunity for companies in the education technology industry to design and develop advanced robotics products for young students, integrating… - [Playful Educational Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/education-robot): The 'KUBO' Education Robot Teaches a Number of Different Skills (Category: Tech) Implication: The 'KUBO' education robot is part of the growing field of educational technology, offering innovative ways to teach children. - [Interactive Education Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yoto-speaker): The 'Yoto' Speaker Allows Children to Play and Learn (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The Yoto speaker represents an opportunity for the education technology industry to create more interactive and engaging learning tools for children. - [Interactive Child-Focused Reading Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/square-panda): Square Panda is Using Technology to Encourage Kids to Read (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Square Panda demonstrates the opportunities for incorporating technology into the education sector, specifically in early childhood learning. - [Intelligent Voice-Controlled Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cognitoys-scout): CogniToys' 'Scout' is a Toy That Plays, Jokes and Chats (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy manufacturing industry has the opportunity to incorporate intelligent voice-controlled features into their products. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)