Phew... the finish line is here.. finally
Finishing a challenge that can potentially change how kids can collaborate and learn with physical blocks while playing with their friends within 24 hrs was no small feat. We spent considerable time understanding how best to detect and convert the different assemblies of physical components to their digital twin in the safest, easiest and economical method.
Another practical challenge was ensuring safety of the data and privacy of the child and family members. Giving the feel of real-time collaboration on the interface was essential as well. After ideating on these we started design the information architecture to ensure the most intuitive flow for the young users. To give adequate parental control we design the onboarding to be performed by an elder. The choice of device was also considered carefully. We decided on tablet given its ease of caring, the enhanced visual experience that comes with larger screen, minimising the distractions that usually comes with phones.
The design of arena where the physical models are built has a revolving camera with limited vision range to capture the model but keep privacy in check. The arena also has a push to talk button since communication is essential for collaboration, team work and friendship. Push to talk helps to increase privacy.
How the digital twin is made?
The camera will capture the colour data to identify the position of component in 2D plane. Using the unique patterns and stored knowledge of the components the system will be able to predict the orientation in the 3D space. The components are magnetic at random to increase element or surprise, exploration and MAGIC
Are we done?
Not even close. There’s more to be explored, more to be learnt and (something) more to be made.
https://vimeo.com/482211828