Thin Film Electronics ASA (Thinfilm) has launched the Toy Development Kit.

The Thinfilm Toy Development Kit includes the tools needed to efficiently design smart toys and games. “This new kit will accelerate the market launch of interactive games powered by Thinfilm Memory,” said Davor Sutija, Thinfilm CEO.

The Thinfilm Toy Development Kit contains a hand-held reader/writer for memory-labeled cards, samples of the newly developed Thinfilm Memory Controller, and tags with Thinfilm Memory. The Thinfilm Memory Controller is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The kit also includes instructions for programming, and is available for purchase and immediate delivery by qualified designers and customer partners.

Thinfilm is also developing a reference playground-ready interactive hand-held game that demonstrates how kids can engage with playing card characters both offline and online. Re-writability allows saving of status, scores, and evolution of avatar personalities. The reference game can be ordered now, for delivery in January 2011.

Printed electronics has an absolute cost advantage compared to conventional electronics, such as flash and eeprom. The manufacturing process is substantially less expensive, and material costs are typically lower.

Thinfilm is unique in offering re-writeable non-volatile memories produced in a roll-to-roll printing process. “Our memory technology cost effectively connects the playground to the online world and powers interactivity that has so far been restricted to online games,” explained Sutija.