Qubs is at the New York Toy Fair for the first time, introducing new games, expansion sets and a new product line, RasKars, for hands-on screen-free play and real-world learning and discovery.
Inspired by its award-winning STEM toy Cody Block, Qubs developed RasKars, featuring animal-driven wooden cars that zoom, explore and react on their own, as if by magic, thanks to hidden, proprietary RFID technology. These tech-powered toy cars drive autonomously and respond to whatever kids build around them, all while delighting with characters like Dash the taxi dog, Gus the commuter, and Nova the recycling truck.
The RasKars cityscape expands with fun accessories like the Car Wash, Drawbridge, Road Work and the Traffic Light, which stops and starts cars. RasKars is set to release in fall 2026.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Embodied Play Robots
- Physical toy vehicles with embedded autonomy are blurring lines between robotics and play, enabling novel product forms that combine tangible interaction with personality-driven behaviors.
- Rfid-enabled Tangible Interaction
- Hidden RFID systems that allow objects to sense and react to hand-built environments are creating opportunities for low-cost, durable smart experiences without screens.
- Screen-free STEAM Learning
- Hands-on play platforms that teach coding, systems thinking, and cause-and-effect through physical components are redefining how foundational STEM skills are delivered to young children.
Where This Applies
- Toy Manufacturing
- Manufacturers that integrate embedded electronics into classic wooden designs can disrupt mass-market toys by offering premium durability combined with interactive intelligence.
- Educational Technology
- Companies in edtech are positioned to expand beyond apps by incorporating tangible, curriculum-aligned hardware that conveys computational concepts through play.
- Childcare and Early Learning
- Preschools and daycare providers are likely to adopt screen-free autonomous play tools as curricular aids that foster social, motor, and cognitive development in group settings.
