KonneKt is a toy designed to help child cancer patients not feel so alone. No matter your age, cancer is a frightening experience. Hospitals can be strange and unfamiliar and to make things worse, it is likely that a child undergoing a treatment for cancer will have to spend some time in isolation — sometimes up to four months. For his final project at the Delft University of Technology, Job Jansweijer came up with KonneKt, a toy that encourages social interaction.
KonneKt is made up of different shapes that can be attached to glass hallway walls with suction cups, which gives kids the opportunity to form familiar games like tic-tac-toe, chess, or invent a completely new game to play with someone on the other side of the glass.
Jansweijer’s toy design enables kids to interact with one another, despite being separated by physical barriers. KonneKt is in the running for the 2014 Interaction Design Awards and has been nominated for an award in the Conceptual Design of Healthcare Innovation.
Collaborative Hospital Patient Games
The Konnekt Toys Encourage Kids in Isolation to Be Social
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Hospital Toys - Creating interactive toys for hospital patients to encourage social interaction and combat feelings of isolation.
2. Gamification of Healthcare - Using gamification in healthcare settings to improve patient experience and engagement during treatment.
3. Conceptual Design in Healthcare Innovation - Exploring new and innovative concepts for healthcare design that can address specific needs and challenges in the industry.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Developing and producing toys specifically designed for hospital environments and patients.
2. Healthcare Technology - Implementing interactive technology and gamification strategies in healthcare settings to enhance patient experience.
3. Healthcare Design - Creating innovative and patient-centered designs for hospitals and medical facilities to promote positive experiences and well-being.