This past week my team chose a new name. It went from “Smart Toys” to “IoToys” which stands for Internet of Toys. The name basically encapsulates the purpose behind undergoing this project where we want to create a toy that bridges the digital and physical worlds that a young kid can interact with and learn.
Right now, we have come up with several ideas that keep in mind the concept of Internet of Things. One of the smart toy concepts that have been proposed is the “Cube Creator”. The physical toy itself looks somewhat like a Rubik’s cube where one can rotate all six sides of the cube. When turning the side of the cube, it would rotate a potentiometer that would change the resistance. The change in resistance would record that alteration in a connected microcontroller, and then this data would be sent to the computer. The “Cube Creator” is connected through Bluetooth to a tablet where it shows a shape. From the data collection when the side of the cube is rotated, it would be able to change the size of the shape seen on the tablet. If a different side of the cube is rotated, it would then change the color of the digital object. Different sides of the cube have different abilities. So one side would change color, but another would increase or decrease (clockwise and counterclockwise) the size and another side would alter the shape (sphere, pyramid, cylinder, etc.).
The other idea that has been proposed is the “Smart Action Figure”. The idea is basically a throwback to the old action figure dolls, such as super heroes like Batman or Optimus Prime, or even toy soldiers. The premise behind this toy is that any action figure or doll the kid has can be used in a tablet game. The mechanical contraption that will be built is a touch pad that has motion sensors that can tell a position of an object is when it is placed on it. So essentially, the action figure will be placed on the pad and act as a toggle to move left, right, forward, and backward in the game that is seen on the tablet. An added feature to the action figure would be an attachable button that can be placed on the waist of the doll. It can act as a trigger, that when it is pushed it shoots out bullets in the game, killing the enemies in the game play. This bridges the fun of just imagining your Batman fighting invisible enemies to actually fighting minions on a tablet with actually using your Batman action figure. The appeal of this toy is that it brings to life any action figure or doll to be used in a more interactive, digital way. Even Barbie can shoot enemies if the player so pleases.
The “Cube Creator” and the “Smart Action Figure” are just a couple ideas that have been agreed on to move forward with in making a toy that is related with the Internet of Things.