Hello Barbie thumbnail 1
Hello Barbie thumbnail 2
+4
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Design 1900 to Now, Room 76

Hello Barbie

Doll
2015 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Hello Barbie, talking Barbie Doll wearing black shoes, black trousers a white t-shirt with HELLO HELLO HELLO in black letter down the front, silver zip up jacket with crop sleeves with pink stiching detail. Blond hair, blue eyes and pink lips. Hello Barbie wears a black belt with silver buckle, the buckle is a button. Hello Barbie listens and responds to the user via a voice when the user presses and holds down a button on Barbie’s belt. Silver cuff braclet on left arm and and a non removable silver neacklace with 3 square silver jewels. Microphone, speaker and tri-colour LED lights are embeded in the necklace.

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read Digital art & design dictionary The V&A has a long history of engaging with contemporary modes of creative production. Since its foundation in 1852, the museum has been actively collecting the latest examples of art, design and manufacturing to showcase not only the newest creative thinking, but also the cutting-edge tec...

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Doll
  • Charging Stand
  • Instructions
  • Instructions
  • Instructions
  • Plug
  • Box
TitleHello Barbie (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic
Brief description
Hello Barbie, designed and manufactured by Mattel and Toytalk, 2015
Physical description
Hello Barbie, talking Barbie Doll wearing black shoes, black trousers a white t-shirt with HELLO HELLO HELLO in black letter down the front, silver zip up jacket with crop sleeves with pink stiching detail. Blond hair, blue eyes and pink lips. Hello Barbie wears a black belt with silver buckle, the buckle is a button. Hello Barbie listens and responds to the user via a voice when the user presses and holds down a button on Barbie’s belt. Silver cuff braclet on left arm and and a non removable silver neacklace with 3 square silver jewels. Microphone, speaker and tri-colour LED lights are embeded in the necklace.
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.7cm (Note: of doll)
  • Width: 11.3cm (Note: of doll)
  • Height: 18.7cm (Note: stand of )
  • Width: 9.3cm (Note: of stand)
  • Depth: 7.5cm (Note: of stand)
  • Length: 14.5cm (Note: wire attached to stand)
  • Width: 25.2cm (Note: of box)
  • Length: 33cm (Note: of box)
  • Depth: 8.7cm (Note: of box)
Gallery label
This object is found in the "Data and Communication " section of Design 1900-Now gallery, opened June 2021 A doll that listens in Hello Barbie is a wifi enabled doll with built in voice-recognition technology, allowing it to listen and respond when played with. Conversations are recorded and transmitted to servers where they are analysed and stored to inform future interactions. Hello Barbie’s release in 2015 was met with widespread concern after its servers were hacked. Privacy groups advocated for the manufacturer Mattel to recall the doll. It was discontinued in 2017. Interactive doll Hello Barbie, 2015 Developed by ToyTalk for Mattel, USA Plastic, textiles, electronic components and cardboard box Museum no. CD.33:1, 2, 6-2015
Collection
Accession number
CD.33:1 to 6-2015

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Record createdDecember 11, 2015
Record URL
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