After discussing with my instructor, I finalized the idea of creating a talking toy. The inspiration for this project came during a visit to my cousin's home, where I noticed her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter glued to a smartphone and unwilling to part with it. This made me wonder if there could be a toy that would engage her and encourage interaction. While researching, I couldn't find any toys that allowed customization of audio files—they all came preloaded with standard audio, which felt uninspiring.
As I was brainstorming ideas for my Fab Academy final project, I thought, why not create the kind of toy I had been searching for? I believe this would make the perfect gift for her. The toy will include an SD card slot, enabling us to play customized audio files such as stories or music. Additionally, it will have wheels, allowing it to follow the child while playing the audio, making it interactive and engaging.
This project is specifically designed for children below the age of five, providing them with an engaging and interactive experience. It allows young kids to play and interact with the toy in a way that is both entertaining and educational. Additionally, parents have the ability to play soothing music or captivating stories through the toy, creating a comforting environment for their children. I believe this toy offers an excellent solution for parents who are looking for healthier alternatives to screen time, helping their kids develop creativity and imagination while staying away from smartphones and other digital devices.
This toy features LED lights for the eyes, a display for the mouth to mimic lip movements, speakers for audio output, and ultrasonic sensors for measuring distance. It is equipped with four wheels for mobility, a DC power supply for battery charging, and an SD card slot for customizable audio playback.
I made a possible CAD design for my project in week 2 and it probably looks like this.
I got the reference from Coders Cafe.