'Griflens' Story Beads Blend Real-Life and Online Storytelling
Rahul Kalvapalle — March 10, 2014 — Life-Stages
References: griflens & news.utoronto
Toronto start-up Griflens has created a toy that blurs the line between real-world and online play and is sure to capture kids’ imagination in a way that hasn’t been done before.
Griflens are 3D-printed interactive story beads that tell a story that changes depending on which beads are combined, online or offline.
Each physical bead – representing either a character or a storyline -- has a code that can be scanned to create an online counterpart on the Griflens website, Griflens.co. Kids can then choose different combinations of beads online to generate endless storylines.
Kids can even dream up their own physical and online beads. Griflens can create online as well as physical 3D-printed beads using pictures and drawings submitted to them.
The makers say they see Griflens as representing not just a new toy, but a whole new platform that combines the best of the real and virtual worlds.
Griflens are 3D-printed interactive story beads that tell a story that changes depending on which beads are combined, online or offline.
Each physical bead – representing either a character or a storyline -- has a code that can be scanned to create an online counterpart on the Griflens website, Griflens.co. Kids can then choose different combinations of beads online to generate endless storylines.
Kids can even dream up their own physical and online beads. Griflens can create online as well as physical 3D-printed beads using pictures and drawings submitted to them.
The makers say they see Griflens as representing not just a new toy, but a whole new platform that combines the best of the real and virtual worlds.
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Storytelling Toys - Opportunity to create more 3D-printed interactive storytelling toys for children that blend the real-world and online play.
2. Physical-to-digital Interaction - Disruptive innovation opportunities to create more toys that allow for a seamless physical-to-digital interaction.
3. Community-driven Content - Potential for a community-driven content platform for children to create and share their own physical and online beads and stories.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Toy manufacturers can innovate by integrating technology to create toys that provide a blend of real-world and online play experiences.
2. 3D Printing - Opportunity to leverage 3D printing technology to create interactive toys that enable physical-to-digital interactions.
3. Ed-tech - Ed-tech startups can explore interactive storytelling as a new mode of learning through designing 3D-printed storytelling toys for classrooms.
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