CuboBuddy is a robotic educational IoT toy which will be the first smart device on the Cubomania platform that will demonstrate how the Cubomania ecosystem works and how all the elements interact with each other. The main purpose of the toy is to deliver the content produced on the Cubomania blockchain platform.
The cube has the following embedded microcontroller chips and all types of sensors: infrared sensor, rotational speed sensor, sensing device, gyroscope sensor, accelerometer sensor, compass, barometer sensor, photoresistor, GPS module, proximity sensor, video camera, potentiometer, sound sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, microphone. The cubes are powered by the battery which is charged via a standard electrical power point using a micro USB charger cable without the need to disassemble the toy.
CuboBuddy is an interactive multimedia cube with a motion function and software support which develops a child’s creativity and motor skills. The surfaces of the cube are compatible with LEGO elements, which enables a child to create their own models using LEGO bricks from different LEGO sets. The existence of the motor inside the cube enables a child to create different ways of moving the cube. The existence of the colour screen and light-emitting diodes, a sound speaker and a few sensors allows for a child’s interactive communication with a cube: depending on mechanical impact on the cube (sound, temperature or others) the cube will have a relevant picture on the colour screen, voice the process, start moving and light up. The degree of interactivity is determined by the programme which will be downloaded into the cube. The set includes the instructions for building a few base models, for example, a car, a ship, a spider, a robot or others. The continuous update of programmes on the site makes the playing and learning process engaging during a long period of time.
The CuboBuddy toy will allow children to plunge into the world of robots from an early age. The cube may act as the control center which has to be placed on the receiving panel which, in turn, has to be fixed on the toy itself. Depending on the cube’s position the model will perform different tasks — move some toy elements with a help of a servo motor, blink with light-emitting diodes, make different sounds. It’s also possible to choose the game mode in which an additional proximity sensor will be used. With its help a child will be able to move the toy elements which are driven by a servo motor, play different sounds or create their own light show just with a help of gestures. The set includes the instructions on how to use the set, build recommended models and use it with own toys.
There will be an opportunity to make CuboPuzzle if a child uses a set of multimedia cubes with software support. This CuboGame helps a child learn the alphabet, maths and words of different categories: animals, colours, etc. Software support on the computer, tablet or smartphone helps to find the database of different categories: alphabets, colours, animals, etc. When a certain element of the category is chosen, some textual or visual information is sent to the cubes remotely. When a child combines the cubes correctly, it is shown and voiced on the screens. There is a variety of educational games which make the learning process more engaging. Some of the games use the rebus principle, others — the dynamics of cube rearrangement, which develops a child’s motor skills and attention.
