š Pixar Unveils Interactive Luxo Jr.
To mark its 40th anniversary, animation studio Pixar has released a unique piece of merchandise for fansāan interactive version of its iconic hopping desk lamp, Luxo Jr. Serving as the centerpiece of the anniversary collection, the item went on sale today in the UK Disney Store for Ā£100.
Measuring 37Ć18Ć20 cm, the interactive figure responds to sound and movement by executing automated body motions and playing signature sound effects recognizable from the studio’s animated intro. However, the device does not function as an actual lighting fixture: it produces no light and runs entirely on four AA batteries.
This design restriction stems directly from a 2009 legal dispute. At the time, Norwegian manufacturer Luxo ASAāwhose L-1 lamp originally inspired Pixar co-founder John Lasseter in the 1980sāfiled a lawsuit against Disney over the release of branded desk lamps. Under the resulting settlement, Disney agreed never to produce functional lighting products under the Luxo Jr. name.
The character first debuted in the eponymous 1986 short filmāPixarās very first projectāand eventually became the studioās official symbol and mascot. As part of the anniversary release, the Disney Store has imposed a strict purchase limit of one item per customer.
Source: RBC