While many tools like Lego Mindstorm exist to enable kids to create robots and bring their creations to life these tools are still somewhat complex for younger age groups. Link Lab allows young children to use their imagination and discover robotics. It removes all programing from the process, using simple mechanical input to control the electrical components. While most technical skills are simplified, this project will still allow kids to both think in 3d and consider movement in while building.

While many tools like Lego Mindstorm exist to enable kids to create robots and bring their creations to life these tools are still somewhat complex for younger age groups. Link Lab allows young children to use their imagination and discover robotics. It removes all programing from the process, using simple mechanical input to control the electrical components. While most technical skills are simplified, this project will still allow kids to both think in 3d and consider movement in while building.

Project goals

Gabe

What we Learned From Eliot

The Eliot workshop gave us great insights into what play is for kids this age.

• The kids spend all day receiving instructions. Play is their time to actually make their own rules and push their own limits.

• The kids like creating structures, vehicles and characters.

• Kids personified their creations

Andrew

Artifacts of Play

Hidden Messages

Shape Connections

Gabe,Jade,Andrew

Constructive Communication

Brainstorming

Create

Jade

How does this represent NuVu

Similar Projects

DexiBlocks

Snap Circuits

Mindstorms EV3

 Lego Mindstorms helps kids learn robotics, engineering, and coding, unfortunately it is focused towards a middle schooler age bracket.

Created by Will and Teo this was a project that also used a block building system to solve a problem. 

Snap Circuits encourages young children to create circuits in a very simple way.

Gabe,jade,andrew

First Ideas

Gabe,jade

Initial Prototypes

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Andrew,Jade

Jade

Jade

Andew

Andrew

Gabe

Next Steps

• We need to refine connector tolerances so the blocks don't fall out on their own.

• Play testing would be very helpful determining the scale and whether the blocks should be electronic or purely mechanical.

• We need to determine if we will be keeping the wood style or moving to 3d printed cubes.

Gabe,jade, andrew