steps toward child-designed interactive stuffed toys
Within the past decade, computationally-enhanced toys have become a staple of children's environments. In large part, this is due to the small size, robust operation, and low cost of embedded computing that enables computers (and associated electronic devices) to be included within toys of all descriptions. More recently, a variety of powerful technologies have emerged so that children can design their own computational artifacts: that is, small (and inexpensive) processors, sensors, and actuators have been developed that are well-suited to combination with "soft" materials such as textiles. This paper describes Plushbot, a system-in-development that allows children to create their own plush toys and stuffed animals, and to include computational enhancements within the toys that they create. Thus, Plushbot represents a step toward expanding children's creative design of their own interactive, computationally-enhanced characters. The paper describes the current state of the Plushbot software, shows a sample project created with the system, and describes plans for upcoming pilot tests with the system.
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