Language tech dev ToyTalk rebrands as chatbot specialist PullString

ToyTalk, the children’s app developer founded five years ago by veterans from animation studio Pixar, has restructured to become PullString.

ToyTalk’s focus was on using a combination of AI and language tech to drive interactive apps, games and toys, such as Mattel’s Hello Barbie..

The brand will continue to exist under its former moniker, but will now be parented by a new company, PullString.

The company said the move was an effort “to address the rapid emergence of the chatbot marketplace”.

PullString will focus specifically on providing its chatbot platform to “developers and companies to create and host entertainment, customer care, and brand experiences on communication and messaging services such as Skype, Slack, and Facebook Messenger”.

Its first title, Humani: Jessie’s Story, has been launched for Facebook Messenger.

“This first-of-its-kind game features innovative computer conversation technology powered by the advanced capabilities of PullString’s authoring environment and dialogue crafted by our talented team of writers,” the company wrote.