Philipp Schmitt, Stephan Bogner and Jonas Voigt from Germany's University of Design Schwaebisch Gmünd recently designed a series of mechanical toys that are intended to help children relate to robots. As robotic technology become more accessible, a whole new generation of children are growing up in the presence of robots. These devices turn robots into kid-friendly toys to make the new technology seem less intimidating.
The 'Raising Robotic Natives' line consist of four conceptual devices, each of which is designed to help young children relate to robots. The robotic devices and accessories were created for the near future, when robots are likely to be an integral part of the average home. One example of these futuristic devices is the Robot Baby Feeder Toolhead, which is a mechanical arm designed for bottle-feeding small children. This device comes with a Dragon Costume that can be draped overtop of the arm to make the robot seem like a softer and more engaging toy.
The kid-friendly robots ultimately demonstrate how new technology can be adapted to suit the specific needs of young children.
Infant-Targeted Robots
These Mechanical Toys are Designed to Help Children Relate to Robots
Trend Themes
1. Kid-friendly Robotics - Designing interactive and child-friendly robotic devices that facilitate children's learning and interactions.
2. Robotic Companions for Children - Creating robots and accessories that can engage children, specifically designed to meet the emotional and developmental needs of each age group.
3. Robots for Early Education - Developing educational robots that promote critical thinking, language development, and problem-solving in early childhood education.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - Designing interactive toys that blend the lines between toy and technology to create new experiences for children.
2. Robotics Industry - Developing adaptable robotics to aid in childcare by designing tools and accessories for a range of child-care use cases.
3. Early Childhood Education Industry - Providing innovative robotic solutions to assistive teaching in early childhood education and child care settings.