Hello Barbie thumbnail 1
Hello Barbie thumbnail 2
+4
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

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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Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Doll
  • Charging Stands
  • Instructions
  • Instructions
  • Instructions
  • Plugs
  • Boxes
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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