TopoboHayes Raffle, Amanda Parkes, and Professor Hiroshi Ishii / 2004
Topobo is a 3D constructive assembly system with kinetic memory, the ability to record and playback physical motion. Unique among modeling systems is Topobos coincident physical input and output behaviors. By snapping together a combination of Passive (static) and Active (motorized) components, people can quickly assemble dynamic biomorphic forms like animals and skeletons with Topobo, animate those forms by pushing, pulling, and twisting them, and observe the system repeatedly play back those motions. For example, a dog can be constructed and then taught to gesture and walk by twisting its body and legs. The dog will then repeat those movements and walk repeatedly. The same way people can learn about static structures playing with building blocks, they can learn about dynamic structures playing with Topobo.
For more information see Topobo at www.topobo.com
Papers
- Topobo: A Constructive Assembly System with Kinetic Memory CHI 2004
- Remix and Robo: Improvisational performance and competition with modular robotic building toys SIGGRAPH 2007
- Topobo: A 3-D Constructive Assembly System with Kinetic Memory Thesis 2004
- Topobo in the Wild: Longitudinal Evaluations of Educators Appropriating a Tangible Interface CHI 2008 2008
- Remix and Robo: sampling, sequencing and real-time control of a tangible robotic construction system IDC 2007