Home Depot upgrades viral Skelly skeleton with real-time voice interaction
The latest iteration of the 12-foot Skelly allows consumers to speak through the figure via a mobile app, marking a shift toward interactive consumer electronics in the seasonal decor market.
Home Depot has released an upgraded version of its 12-foot 'Skelly' Halloween skeleton, introducing real-time voice interaction capabilities via a dedicated mobile application. The new model, priced at $379, utilises Bluetooth connectivity to allow users to speak through the animatronic’s mouth, synchronising speech with animated movements to interact with trick-or-treaters from a distance.
The technology is adapted from the smaller 6.5-foot 'Ultra Skelly' model released last year. This iteration increases the number of LCD eye animations from eight to twenty, with options selectable through the app for non-Halloween holidays. The application also permits customisation of head and mouth movements and allows users to record up to 30 custom sounds or phrases.
A simpler version of the skeleton, lacking the voice interaction features, remains available at the original price of $299. The upgraded Skelly is available for purchase online starting tomorrow, with in-store availability scheduled for later this summer.
The release coincides with a broader launch of new Halloween decor from the retailer, reflecting a wider market trend for interactive animatronics. The new collection includes an 11-foot mummy with motion-activated LED lighting, an 8-foot zombie velociraptor, and an animated zombie parrot featuring an interactive voice system with 20 prerecorded phrases.
Home Depot is also debuting a three-piece Gremlins collection and glowing trees with facial animations designed for lawn displays. The upgraded Skelly follows a previous enhancement made two years ago, which introduced eight different animations for its LCD eyes, continuing the retailer’s strategy of maintaining the viral decor’s relevance through technological updates.
