Making Toys 6

Bach bot on synthtopia...

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/05/13/plush-toy-circuit-bending-with-the-bach-bot-9000/

Bach Bot on Make...

This is a prototype for a toy called the BachBot 9000. It is made children who may be too young to get into circuit bending. Made with an arduino the Bach Bot front can pull off to reveal it's plush "circuitry". By pressing to points on its front the user can create circuit bending effects to the tune of Ode to Joy by Bach.

Bach Bot 9000

Download Bachbot Sales Sheet

Toy protoype: Bip Blop

Elmo is dead, long live robo head

Little Lights Feedback and Sales Sheet

Here is the sales sheet...

Feedback:  
    I showed my product to three family members, two friends and one colleague. Overall the reactions were mixed. There seemed to be a positive consensus on look of the device. Many enjoyed the white color of the balls complimenting the wood but some found the bright green color to be off putting especially in the dark and suggested a more diffused and mute color. Three people stated that they did not like the blinking effect for the hour. One person suggested that the hour should only blink when the hours and minute conflict. My colleague suggested that the switch's function was to trivial and should serve a more useful purpose. Finally two people liked the look but wanted a more accurate depiction of time and suggest I make a larger version with more balls.

The Little Lights Wall Clock

 

IR Distance Notes

This link included a lot of great history of the Sharp IR Distance detectors and the min and max ranges of different sensors.

You read data on the sensor like any other analog sensor
Download SimpleIR

To smooth out the incoming data simply output the average of the last ten readings
Download SmoothingIR

To calibrate the sensor output use the map method.
Download CalibrationIR

This processing sketch was used to graph the incoming byte data from the arduino
Download Processing

These were the actual sketches used in class and includes the serial.outs that have been removed from the examples above.
Download IR Total

Enclosed Prototype 1

codes: Download Code

NYC Toy Fair 6

OrbiitWheel

Orbit wheels are like skates but are shaped as two large wheels perpendicular to the foot. I thought these looked cool but seemed a little gimmicky to actual ride in any kind of rough terrain. There almost a cross between a skateboard and inline skates. I can't see this becoming popular given the price is over $100. Maybe they have plans to lower the price in the future.

DC Direct Action Figures

Nothing particularly exciting about these action figures I just like the care and style that goes into them especially the larger statues. A lot work goes into figurines and it really shows. A must have for comic fans.

Chem C1000

Chem C1000 is a chemistry set target towards children. I was glad to see this at the toy fair cause of a recent new's article I read linking the decline of chemistry and other physical sciences with decrease in physical and educational toys such as this one. Also there have been concerns of safety with toys as these. I especially like the safety glasses.