©Dinu Kennedy 2024
©Dinu Kennedy 2024
©Dinu Kennedy 2024
Kanobot is a STEM kit designed for kids aged 7 to 15 to explore AI and AR applications. With the provided components, they can build creative projects and games. Powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 board, Kanobot features swappable sensors that teach the basics of hardware. It also includes a fun coding platform based on building blocks called Scratch, ensuring accessible and engaging computing for children.
Kanobot is a STEM kit designed for kids aged 7 to 15 to explore AI and AR applications. With the provided components, they can build creative projects and games. Powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 board, Kanobot features swappable sensors that teach the basics of hardware. It also includes a fun coding platform based on building blocks called Scratch, ensuring accessible and engaging computing for children.
Industrial design
Industrial design
Strategy?
Strategy?
How can a STEM kit
be fun and relatable
for the AI era?
How can a STEM kit
be fun and relatable
for the AI era?
How can a STEM kit
be fun and relatable
for the AI era?
This project was inspired by the brand Kano, whose approach to making complex technology accessible for kids. The core idea was to design a product that not only looks fun but is also technically relevant for today’s era.
This project was inspired by the brand Kano, whose approach to making complex technology accessible for kids. The core idea was to design a product that not only looks fun but is also technically relevant for today’s era.
Ideating various inputs, outputs, and use cases was particularly insightful.
Ideating various inputs, outputs, and use cases was particularly insightful.
Designed for creation
than consumption
Designed for
creation than
consumption
Designed for creation
than consumption
A key element of development was accessibility and collaboration. All programs for the device are created by users (kids) themselves using Scratch, a block-based coding platform. Built with standard components, Kanobot also fosters a community where users can share projects and ideas.
A key element of development was accessibility and collaboration. All programs for the device are created by users (kids) themselves using Scratch, a block-based coding platform. Built with standard components, Kanobot also fosters a community where users can share projects and ideas.
Process
Process
Concept development was crucial, involving significant thought to shape both the form and function. I began with rapid prototyping using paper and gathered direct feedback from kids.
Concept development was crucial, involving significant thought to shape both the form and function. I began with rapid prototyping using paper and gathered direct feedback from kids.
Vector ideating different concepts
Vector ideating different concepts
Handmade paper mockups
Handmade paper mockups
I 3D printed a prototype and later tested it in a kids' makerspace and a primary school.
I 3D printed a prototype and later tested it in a kids' makerspace and a primary school.
The reaction
The reaction
As I showcased the prototype and explained its capabilities, both the kids and teachers expressed excitement. The fifth-grade students especially liked the design, while the eighth graders quickly generated ideas for incorporating their Scratch programs into the device during our brief discussion. This concept successfully sparked both excitement and curiosity among the students. However, a fully functional prototype with electronics could have provided more precise insights.
As I showcased the prototype and explained its capabilities, both the kids and teachers expressed excitement. The fifth-grade students especially liked the design, while the eighth graders quickly generated ideas for incorporating their Scratch programs into the device during our brief discussion. This concept successfully sparked both excitement and curiosity among the students. However, a fully functional prototype with electronics could have provided more precise insights.
What began as a simple inquiry for inspiration evolved into a product I would have loved as a child. But more importantly, this project is critical as technologies like AI and XR become increasingly integrated, allowing kids to understand how these technologies work. The greatest benefit of growing up with such a product is that it encourages children to create more than they consume, fostering a healthy relationship with devices—an aspect that is more relevant now than ever.
What began as a simple inquiry for inspiration evolved into a product I would have loved as a child. But more importantly, this project is critical as technologies like AI and XR become increasingly integrated, allowing kids to understand how these technologies work. The greatest benefit of growing up with such a product is that it encourages children to create more than they consume, fostering a healthy relationship with devices—an aspect that is more relevant now than ever.