2-XL
| The 2-XL version with its cassette tapes distributed by Tiger Electronics in 1992. A European version distributed by Tomy is seen here. | |
| Other names | 2-XL Robot, 2XL Robot, 2XL | 
|---|---|
| Type | Educational toy robot | 
| Invented by | Michael J. Freeman | 
| Company | 
 | 
| Country | United States | 
| Availability | 1978–1981; 1992–1995 | 
2-XL (2-XL Robot, 2XL Robot, 2-XL Toy) is an educational toy robot that was marketed from 1978–1981 by the Mego Corporation, and from 1992–1995 by Tiger Electronics. 2-XL was the first "smart-toy" in that it exhibited rudimentary intelligence, memory, gameplay, and responsiveness. 2-XL was infused with a "personality" that kept kids focused and challenged as they interacted with the verbal robot. Learning was enhanced via the use of jokes and funny sayings as verbal reinforcements for performance. 2-XL was heralded as an important step in the development of toys, particularly educational ones. 2-XL won many awards, and Playthings, a toy industry magazine, placed 2-XL on its 75th anniversary cover as one of the industry's top-ten toys of all time. The 2-XL name is a pun of the phrase "to excel".