Now you can make your very own plastic toy in under a minute with the Roto-a-Matic, a toy vending machine that puts a new spin on DIY vending machines.
A collaboration between Squibbles Ink, a product development company based in Chicago, and Rotofugi, a designer toy store, the Roto-a-Matic toy vending machine offers a modern take on the classic Mold-a-Rama vending machine, which involves a process of injecting molten polyethylene plastic into a toy mold, and then blasting the mold with air to freeze the item in that shape. The Roto-a-Matic takes this toy-making process and makes it happen in less than a minute.
The toy that's currently available for consumers to make is the 'Helper Dragon,' which was designed by the sculptor Tim Biskup, but the project makers are also asking people to contribute designs for new molds.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- DIY Toy Vending Machines
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transforming traditional vending machines by allowing customers to create their own toys in minutes.
- Modernization of Mold-a-rama
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Updating the classic Mold-a-Rama vending machine by speeding up toy production time using the Roto-a-Matic.
- Collaborative Toy Design
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Encouraging user participation by inviting people to contribute their own toy designs for the Roto-a-Matic vending machine.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Product Development
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating the Roto-a-Matic vending machine technology into new product development strategies.
- Toy Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionizing toy manufacturing processes by introducing faster and customizable options with the Roto-a-Matic.
- Retail
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating unique customer experiences by installing Roto-a-Matic vending machines in retail spaces for on-demand toy creation.
