Abstract
Since ancient times, toys have captured the imagination of children the world over with major roles in learning and entertainment. This chapter presents SmartSync, a platform for interactive toys using ultra low power Wireless Sensor/Actuation Network (WSN) technologies. These technologies are integrated into a number of off-the shelf micro-robots and colour LED arrays, making them fully autonomous. A demo system has been developed in which wireless micro-robots and the colour LED arrays interact with a wireless microphone to create an interactive concert scenario. The LED lights and dancing robots are synchronised with music through the WSN. In the final demonstration, the effectiveness of the dancing robots and lights are shown when they respond to traditional Irish music. The WSN interface added improves versatility and accessibility to such toys at a very low cost and low power overhead. This work represents a first step in the development of intelligent interfaces for enhanced interaction with toys for children, especially for those with disabilities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Shiwei, Z., Haitao, Z.: A review of wireless sensor networks and its applications. In: 2012 IEEE International Conference on Automation and Logistics (ICAL), pp. 386–389 (2012)
Schwarz, J.: A grammar-based system for game playing with a sensor network. http://www.eng.yale.edu/enalab/publications/Jonathangrammars.pdf (2006)
Guerrero, P., Cilia M., Buchmann, A.: Relying on wireless sensor networks to enhance the RC-gaming experience. In: 3rd International Workshop on Pervasive Gaming Applications (PerGames 2006), Ireland (2006)
Jelicic, V., Magno, M., Brunelli, D., Bilas, V., Benini, L.: An energy efficient multimodal wireless video sensor network with eZ430-RF2500 modules. In: Proceedings of the IEEE 5th International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Applications, pp. 161–166 (2010)
Banerji, S.: A unified, neuro-physio platform to facilitate collaborative play in children with learning disabilities. In: IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, pp. 912–917 (2009)
Innovation First, http://www.innovationfirst.com/ (2013)
Solomon, C.W.: A 12 band microprocessor controlled graphic equalizer display filter IC. IEEE Trans. Consum. Electron. 663–670 (1991)
Popovici, E., Magno, M., Marinkovic, S.: Power management techniques for wireless sensor networks: a review. In: 2013 5th IEEE International Workshop on advances in sensors and interfaces (IWASI), pp. 194–198 (2013)
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Michael O’Shea and Tim Power in the Dept. mechanical workshop, and TI University Programme for their support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Edwards-Murphy, F., Magno, M., Frost, A., Long, A., Corbett, N., Popovici, E. (2014). Demo Abstract: SmartSync; When Toys Meet Wireless Sensor Networks. In: Langendoen, K., Hu, W., Ferrari, F., Zimmerling, M., Mottola, L. (eds) Real-World Wireless Sensor Networks. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 281. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03071-5_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03071-5_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-03070-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-03071-5
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)