Sesame Street launches the AR 'Sesame Street Yourself' app for the brand's 50th anniversary
The privacy-focused Sesame Street Yourself App produced by Weyo in partnership with Sesame Workshop lets kids sing and dance along with beloved characters.
Alongside its 50th Anniversary, beloved children’s franchise Sesame Street has launched an AR application on iOS that allows users to play with characters such as Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, and more—and even become one themselves.
“Sesame Street Yourself is an exciting way to ignite young imaginations through interactive play with the friendly, furry faces both kids and parents love,” Weyo Founder and CEO Baz Palmer said in a statement. “We are thrilled to launch the app just in time for the holiday season and the 50th anniversary of one of the most important programs in television history.”
Available AR filters in the 'Sesame Street Yourself' app
The app uses facial recognition technology to allow kids to sing and dance with their favorite characters. Given the possibilities for abuse and misuse possible through this technology, Weyo took several key steps while creating the app to ensure safety for its target demographic: preschoolers (3-5 year-olds).
First, the app is both free to download and ad-free, letting children experience it without targeting or interruption. As an extension, all data remains on-device, with no transferring to the cloud.
“We know children’s safety is paramount for parents when considering screen time, so we are excited to offer families this secure new opportunity for online play,” Palmer said. “Sesame Street Yourself invites kids to create unique vibrant and memorable experiences every time they play.”
The app also offers mini-games that include up to three players at once, and allows users to watch completed interactive videos when they are done playing.
For users with iPhone XRs and/or 2018 iPad Pros and above, kids will also be able to use the rear-facing camera in a mini-game where they can help Cookie Monster locate necessary baking ingredients around the room.
Sample of the UX that includes songs and games in 'Sesame Street Yourself'
“At Sesame Workshop, we’re committed to offering best-in-class experiences that parents can trust wherever kids and families learn and play together,” said Scott Chambers, Sesame Workshop’s senior vice president and general manager of educational media and licensing, North America, in a statement. “Together with Weyo, an innovator in immersive video technology, we’re excited to bring the joy and learning of Sesame Street to life in a new way with Sesame Street Yourself.”
The iOS app is available for free download on the App Store.
