Topobo is a 3D constructive assembly system with kinetic memory, the ability to record and playback physical motion. Unique among modeling systems is Topobo’s 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.

Papers
Topobo full paper presented at CHI '04

Videos
Topobo 2 min. movie with music (Quicktime, 4 MB)
Topobo 2 min. movie with music (MPEG, 21 MB)
Topobo 2 min. movie with music (MPEG, 31 MB)
30 second movie with narration (MPEG, 6 MB)
more Topobo videos (FLV)

Website
http://www.rafelandia.com/topobo/
http://www.hayesraffle.com/projects/topobo/