Origami masters can take their paper-folding skills to the next level with reaDIYmate Internet compatible toys.
Created by Marc Chareyron and Olivier Mével, these pulp-tastic little creatures can move their limbs, play MP3s and connect to the web and react based on things that are happening in their owner's digital life. After being mentioned on Twitter, for example, the hand-constructed robots will blare a song out of their speakers or they may also flail around wildly if a pending friend request is waiting on Facebook.
There are several templates available for those who want to snap something together quickly, while the more adventurous creator can be shipped the bare bones computer parts and construct the robot from their own design. Each creature comes with 2GB of built-in storage space and the ability to add and manufacture one's own applications and functions.
Peculiar Parchment Pals
The reaDIYmate Internet Compatible Toys are Constructed from Paper
Trend Themes
1. Pulp-tastic Toys - Incorporating paper in the construction of electronic toys presents a new subgenre of eco-friendly and cost-effective playthings, which can have a variety of functionalities.
2. DIY Smart Toys - ReaDIYmate toys contribute to the growing trend of interactive smart toys that can connect to the internet and social media to create a more personalized experience for kids.
3. Open-source Toy Programming - With its 2GB storage and customizable parts, ReaDIYmate opens the doors to exploring and programming smart toys, giving children the opportunity to learn about coding and hardware development as they play.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Manufacturers can incorporate paper in the design process along with electronic components, opening avenues to produce cost-effective smart toys that have a smaller ecological footprint.
2. Education - ReaDIYmate toys can be used to promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education by integrating programming and electronics into the creative process of toy-making at an early age.
3. Social Media Marketing - As these toys can interact with social media, marketing agencies can promote products through an interactive approach, where children build and program their own interactive toys, which may later blare out marketing messages.