Disney is set to introduce the first in a line of toys that interacts with Apple's iPad for a new type of play experience. Called Appmates, the toys are based on characters from the company's Cars 2 feature, and have sensors at their bases that a separate iPad app recognizes as being unique to each particular character. Players play the game by moving their toy over the "virtual play mat" generated by the app. While the majority of the experience is catered around exploration and play, the app also has game elements, with mission objectives, collectibles, and races. "We have cracked the technology code in changing the way kids play with their toys," said Disney's Sunny Lauridsen in a statement. "Kids will always use toys to play out their favorite Disney stories, but Disney Appmates now allows them to include technology which has become a way of life for them through a beautifully rich app." The toys will be on shelves October 1, with an app release date of "early to mid-October."