George was advertised as a voice-controlled truck to which you could shout instructions and George would dutifully obey. The kids in the advert clapped their hands with glee as it obeyed their shouts of “left”, “right”, “forward” etc . . . Too cool!
The reality, however, was somewhat different – Having removed the technological marvel from the box, inserted the 37 brick-like batteries and switched it on, there was invariably a stinging realisation that the world is a cruel place . . .
The ‘voice-activated’ George actually had a tiny wheel in the middle which moved 90 degrees clockwise every time any noise over 100 decibels was made – about as controllable as a supermarket shopping trolley!