Monday Tuesday Wednesday PDF

Constructing with movement: Kinematics

Leonhard Oschütz (Bauhaus-University Weimar)
Daniel Wessolek (Bauhaus-University Weimar)
Wolfgang Sattler (Bauhaus-University Weimar)

Abstract

This paper describes Kinematics: a novel construction toy for children consisting of both active (shape-changing or rotating) and passive building blocks. In comparison to similar systems, the active components of Kinematics do not require programming or recording. This allows children to focus on reassembly and direct observation of the resulting movement from simple changes made to a constructed structure. The gameplay of Kinematics is similar to classic construction games; by re-combining different elements, one can assemble increasingly complex structures. The shape-changing/rotating feature of the active blocks results in movement of the whole structure. The geometric shapes of these blocks are cubes, cuboids, cylinders, and triangular prisms. Plug-and-socket connectors (TRRS jacks) hold the blocks together and are the pivot points for rotating. They also provide data and power lines. Through simply rotating a single element, or putting it in a different position within the structure, the child can directly and intuitively manipulate the resulting movement. We propose Kinematics as a playful, intuitive, and haptic way of learning about motion in the physical world.

Documents

http://tei-conf.org/10/uploads/Program/p257.pdf

Comments (how to comment)

make a comment
video type clip id
author:

(hint: password is 'teirox')

(hint: you need to put a username in the 'author' field)

TEI, the conference on tangible, embedded, and embodied interaction, is about HCI, design, interactive art, user experience, tools and technologies, with a strong focus on how computing can bridge atoms and bits into cohesive interactive systems.

Sign-up for our low-volume list to get news & updates on TEI'10.

The official hash tag of TEI'10 is #teiconf. Use this in your tweets to share with other TEIers.

Or, follow our Twitter user, TEI10, to see what we have to say about TEI, in 140 chars or less of course ;-)