Alpy for preschoolers performs scenarios on the mat. Interactions include movement, light and sound.
Alpy is inspired by the idea of designing an educational robot with an abstract perception to create space for kids to unfold their creativity. It features a novel approach by combining the functionalities of a complete STEAM kit with the appeal of a robot. Alpy's innovative design allows it to be transformed to an autonomous intelligent robot. The platform can be customized through opaque, transparent or function specific modules with common interfaces. The modular design allows the user to easily change the configuration of the components without the need for soldering or any special tools.
ConfIguratIons
Alpy for preschoolers performs scenarios on the mat. Interactions include movement, light and sound.
Alpy can be programmed. As an example, sensors will allow it to track lines, avoid obstacles and measure light intensity.
Alpy can serve as a STEAM kit interacting in real-time with the user while creating a custom experience.
Alpy can be used as an education platform which would allow children to learn and parents as well as teachers to teach in a transparent way
Kids can program Alpy and create scenarios. As an example, a scenario might be about what a sheep would eat and how the grass should be delivered to the animal using movement commands i.e. left, right and forward. Scenarios are first created and simulated using the software which will then be experienced in the real world via the customizable mat with Alpy. When Alpy completes a given task successfully or when it fails it gives visual and audio feedback to inform children about the outcome.
Completion of each scenario allows the user to enter a higher level with new commands and actions to be experienced including avoidance of obstacles, area restrictions as well as new commands for light and sound control.
The double-sided mat allows space for an enhanced interaction with Alpy including free shape drawing, experiencing light, sound and movement commands according to predefined games.
Alpy's core is an enabler for STEAM applications for all ages. The core housesthe battery and the programmable microcontroller board allowing externalcomponents to be attached for hands-on training. This way users can monitorthe sensor readings and send commands to the actuators and effectors in awell-coordinated manner.
The core can be transformed into a stand-alone experimental unit once it isequipped with the required hardware components. As an example, it can beused to measure the humidity of a plant and can display the readings on agraph. Alpy will accompany enthusiasts and hobbyists allowing them toconcentrate on their algorithms rather than letting them spend time onbuilding a robot from scratch thanks to its well-coordinated forms.
Alpy is intended to remove the barriers that prevent children from interacting with robots. Thanks to its transparent design it gives them the unique opportunity to see through it and understand what is going on. Alpy promotes customization and fosters innovation.
Alpy allows building of complex robotic systems from simple components. Components used in Alpy are easily available generic parts and do not require any special tooling or manufacturing method.
In contrast to the robots available on the market, Alpy pioneers the very first open design to foster kids’ creativity by letting them experiment via sight, hearing and touch and come up with custom-tailored innovations without boundaries.
