The Playground (Plaza)
Sphero™
(Boulder, CO – Orbotix)
Orbotix is the creator of Sphero™ – a small robotic ball that is controlled by a smartphone (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android). Sphero is an entirely new and open game device that combines game play in both the virtual and physical world. Imagine solving a maze by using your iPhone to control a ball rolling around on your living room floor, or challenging a friend in a game of tag where Spheros can sense when they touch, or programming Sphero with a simple visual block app to preform a dance you created that you can then share with your friends on Facebook. The socially connected game play is made possible by the proliferation of smartphones and the advancements in sensor and 2-way communication technology that allow us to inexpensively build our robots.
During Plutopia you will find us demoing multiple Spheros, controlled by smartphone and tablet devices in a seriously fun and seriously interactive driving ring.
Sifteo Cubes
(San Francisco, The alternative game system for truly hands-on play)
Sifteo cubes are a brand new way to play games using wireless 1.5-inch blocks with full-color screens that respond to motion and start interacting with the player and each other, as soon as they are picked up and moved around.
“New sensing technologies have changed the face of gaming in just a few years,” said David Merrill, co-founder and president of Sifteo, who will give a keynote talk at Plutopia 2011.
“We believe that Sifteo cubes are the next leap forward in game play,” said Merrill.
Co-founders, David Merrill and Jeevan Kalanithi first came up with the prototype for the cubes when studying human-computer interaction at the MIT Media Lab. During their research they realized that the way humans typically interact with physical objects i.e.: picking them up to examine and arrange them, had been overlooked by legacy gaming companies. Sifteo Cubes was finally launched at International CES in January 2011 and was a ICES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree .
The Sifteo Cubes will be demonstrated on site at Plutopia 2011
Lifelong Kindergarten Group: MIT Media Lab
Lifelong Kindergarten lives in the MIT Media Lab and develops new technologies that, in the spirit of the blocks and fingerpaint of kindergarten,expand the range of what people can design, create, and learn. Outside school,children interact with electronic toys and games, but they don’t learn how to invent new ones. In the Lifelong Kindergarten group, led by Mitch Resnik, they are trying to change that. They believe that it is critically important for all children, from all backgrounds, to grow up knowing how to design, create, and express themselves. They are inspired by the ways children learn in kindergarten: when they create pictures with finger paint, they learn how colors mix together; when they create castles with wooden blocks, they learn about structures and stability. They want to extend this kindergarten style of learning, so that learners of all ages continue to learn through a process of designing, creating, experimenting, and exploring and help children grow up as creative thinkers.
At Plutopia 2011, Eric Rosenbaum who together with Jay Silver created amongst other things, will demonstrate Singing Fingers, a new iPhone app that lets you finger paint with your voice.With Singing Fingers, you can see music, hear colors, and re-see everyday sounds for the beautiful playground that they are. Eric will also explain the Group’s development of other learning projects such as Drawdio, Scratch , Computer Clubhouse and much more:
Lifelong Kindergarten Group Website
Singing Fingers Website
Austin Villa Robotic Soccer Team
(Austin, University of Texas, Robotics, AI)
RoboCup soccer team from the Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. They compete in both the legged and simulation leagues of RoboCup soccer. Their team name is a play on the name of a prominent English football club, Aston Villa.
Brad Knox will be offering demos and videos throughout the evening.
Austin Villa Robotic Soccer Team Website
Interactive Entertainment Systems
(Austin, Interactive Audio Visuals)
Richard Phillips of IES has designed and installed lighting and AV systems for over 20 years. He is known for his innovative designs and ability to get the job done on time / within budget.
On Richards creative side he is a light artist. Some of his work has been exhibited at First Night Austin 2009 & 2010 and SXSW 2010 and Plutopia 2010. He is also the creator / producer of Light Wizards which is an interative musical stage experience for all ages.
Additionally Richard is the developer of Synth-A-Beams® which is an interactive system that triggers sound and lighting effects as beams of light are interrupted. These systems have been used by performers and installed in entertainment venues and science centers all over the world.
http://www.interactiveesystems.com
The Edge of Imagination Station – Johnny Villareal
(Austin, Interactive Stop-Motion Animation)
The Edge of Imagination Station is a collaborative project in the making. From the concept and the construction, to the music and the videos created, the goal of the Edge of Imagination Station is to get people involved. At The Edge of Imagination Station artists and non-artists alike are able to create their own stop motion animation sequence at one of the work spaces provided using custom software which allows the participant to watch their work instantly. In addition, a flip book can be printed of his/her work on site. Stop motion is a type of animation where the illusion of motion is created as a result of a series of still pictures which are played back as a movie. Ever want to see your drawings move? Here, through the use of chalk, colored paper, 2-D images, and 3-D objects, your ideas can come to life! All of the videos created on the station are posted online at www.theedgeofimaginationstation.com. So get involved and make ART now!
The Edge of Imagination Station website
Professor Conrad and THE GIANT BRAIN – Stimulator 2.0
(Austin, Robotics, Performance and Visual Arts)
The lab is about ready to roll out “Stimulator 2.0.” It will interface with THEGIANTBRAIN and the human brain. Knowledge can be shared, purged, enhanced and stored. It will get a test run at Plutopia 2011.
Marvin Niebuhr (aka Professor Conrad) has creating things all his life; both living and nonliving. And now with his growing knowledge and realization of the “Unified Theory”, he is attempting to use the living as a platform for mechanical attachments through artistic manipulation. Knowing that one lives in a world of eleven dimensions, he sees endless possibilities. Thus he introduces you to his world of artistic bimechanical manipulation.
Intellitoys
Intellitoys LLC is an innovative technology company focused on providing top quality educational and entertainment experiences for children. The company was founded after winning honors at the MIT 50K Business Plan and The Wharton Business Plan Competitions.
Creators of the smart-e-bear™ highly acclaimed as one of the most innovative and compelling toys of 2010, the smart-e-bear™ is the winner of numerous awards, including the Gold National Parenting Publications Award and the top Parenting Media Award and is garnering recognition as one of the best toys for toddlers and pre-schoolers! smart-e-bear and friends can play songs, stories, games, and interactive adventures with your child. Just squeeze their paws to play… Personalizing smart-e-bear is as easy as Connect, Click, Cuddle with our parent-friendly smart-e-software and an easy to use online store with 8,000+ songs, 100+ stories, and 30+ educational and fun games and interactive adventures that put the child in the center of the action! As the child’s interests change, you can change smart-e-bear so he and the child grow together and not apart. smart-e-bear keeps pace with the child’s development with interactive behaviors ranging from a simple shuffle playback mode to more engaging and complex interactions.
smart-e-bear and friends are so smart that they can even call the child by name! You can select from over 1,000 boys’ and girls’ names to have your smart-e introduce himself and give your child a great big friendly hello. Intellitoys’ vast library of content means there is always something that matches your child’s need and interests at every age at any time. With 30+ fun and educational games and interactive stories of varying levels of difficulty, smart-e-bear and friends can help your child develop language, music, creative, and critical thinking skills! The true joy of exploration! Explore Intellitoys live at Plutopia 2011.
Collective Spectra
(Austin, Interactive Video Art Installation)
Collective Spectra is a interactive video art installation and is intended to be a catalyst for inspiring others to create interactive art creations of their own. It allows participants to see their image as a whirring mass of color placed into a variety of landscapes and environments. The prototype of this installation was recently debuted at Auditorium Shores for the Austin New Years celebration, where children of all ages played with the interaction for hours.
Cosmic Funk Studio
(Austin, Atmospheric Laser Projections)
The Cozmic Zone promotes Cozmicfunk original Music, Art, Atmosphere and live VFX services complete with Laser show and programable LED stage lighting! CozmicZone LED Space Light Sculptures are custom made original creations by artist-inventor John P-Funk. These unique designs are built around the function of the lighting and are all assembled as props for John’s indy film projects including:”The Quest for the Dark Planet!” currently in production.
“The Cozmic Zone” is a service of CozmicFunk Studio to bring original inventions, music and Visual FX to parties or events: A complete service focusing on installing a modular exhibit of props, lighting and other audio/visual themes related to Space and Fantasy. These themes can include: Astronomy, Space, Science, Science Fiction and Fantasy etc. with props, lighting and music that create an orignal atmosphere not found with conventional Dj’s and entertainment services.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jon Lebkowsky and Pam Thompson, plutopia. plutopia said: What's happening on "The Playground" in the Zocalo at Plutopia 2011: http://bit.ly/eqpRUK [...]