Giving a soft edge to smart learning devices

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game in educational toys, turning them into adaptive, interactive companions such as interactive robots, companion-style toys, AI-powered storytelling devices, and voice-enabled plush toys that respond to a child’s pace, interests, and performance in real time. Designed for frequent, close interaction, these products benefit from the soft-touch features of materials like thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which provide a comfortable, skin-friendly feel and make toys easier to handle. The tactile quality of TPEs as AI educational toys materials encourages longer use for effective learning.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and customized material solutions for various industries, offers THERMOLAST® K soft-touch TPE materials, which deliver a velvety soft surface along with robust mechanical performance for smart educational toy components such as grips, buttons, housings, and design elements.

Raising the bar on performance with THERMOLAST® K

THERMOLAST® K delivers a soft, velvety surface in AI-enabled educational toys and resists sebum, sunscreen, and grease, keeping them comfortable, clean, and tactile for users. This TPE for educational toys also feature abrasion and scratch resistance to preserve surface quality after repeated use, while their optimized mechanical properties ensure durable, long-lasting components.

THERMOLAST® K compounds exhibit excellent TPE adhesion to commonly used engineering plastics such as PA6, PA12, PC, ABS, PC/ABS, ASA, and SAN, enabling manufacturers to create reliable multi-material components through injection molding and integrate the materials efficiently into modern production processes.

Availble in natural colors, THERMOLAST® K is ideal for key design elements  in interactive toys, including soft-touch push buttons and switches, protective housings for electronic modules, comfortable grips for handheld devices, and other functional parts and accents. 

THERMOLAST® K, a TPE for smart toys, comply with material safety standards, including including UL 94 HB classification, and have been tested according to ISO 10993-10, confirming their suitability for applications involving regular skin contact. With a halogen content (chlorine + bromine) below 900 ppm, the compounds ensure safety for use in modern consumer products.