The world’s largest fair for baby and children’s equipment "kind+jugend" has started with novelties in strollers, car seats, toys and mobiles.
The focus of the approximately 1250 exhibitors from 53 countries – another record – is on safety and, increasingly, on digital assistants and networking.
An "intelligent baby carriage" is presented as a world first, in which two silent electric motors support pushing uphill or also brake automatically. The system can be controlled via an app that connects to the stroller via bluetooth.
Until sunday, a car seat equipped with sensors that is connected to the cell phone and can trigger an alarm will also be on display. Smart helpers" also play a growing role around the baby’s crib. New to see, according to koelnmesse: a miniature device magnetically attached to the clothing that measures breathing movements and noise and detects changes in sleeping position.
Safety aspects are also often decisive when buying children’s mobility scooters, and many manufacturers advertise with seals of approval, according to the mobile industry association. According to industry data, many parents are willing to dig deep into their wallets for safety.
In 2017, spending on children up to three years of age rose by two percent to a good 2.5 billion euros, according to the toy trade association. If all expenditures for children up to 14 years of age are included, the total market has even risen to 7.3 billion euros, according to the BDKH. In terms of sales, the industry also benefits from high birth rates in recent years.