Play to Move: Empowering Kids with a wearable device

Miss Baker is a project that holds a special place in my heart. It came to life during the Fab Academy course at IAAC in Barcelona in 2021, a project that I nurtured from a simple idea to a fully realized proof of concept.

Picture this - it's February 2021. After a year of pandemic confinement, I receive an invitation along with a scholarship to be a part of the Fab Academy 2021 cohort at IAAC in Barcelona. The course was due to start in just two weeks. At that time, I was in Buenos Aires. But after a year of lockdown, the prospect of travel and participating in Fab Academy was a welcome and exciting one. So, two weeks later, I found myself settling down in the bustling city of Barcelona.

The course was set to run for five months, requiring the development of a final project that incorporated certain technologies and processes, such as additive and subtractive manufacturing, digital interfaces, and the development of an electronic board.

For some time, I'd been nursing the idea of creating a product that would encourage children to be more active. I had previously worked on a proof-of-concept using VR and a bicycle a few years back, but this time I decided to take things up a notch - I wanted to create a wearable device for kids to play with. My goal was to create something that could help combat the rising rates of childhood obesity, not as a device for obese children, but as an engaging tool for all.

And thus, Miss Baker was born. After a few iterations, Miss Baker evolved from a sneaker concept into an object that could be attached to shoelaces. This compact device is equipped with an accelerometer to track steps, Bluetooth BLE for connection to a game developed in Unity 3D, and a gyroscope for interactive gameplay. Thus, the device morphed from a simple step-tracker into an engaging joystick.

The game begins as soon as the child starts walking. The device features an OLED display with a face, as it represents the head of a monkey (Miss Baker). Miss Baker displays happiness with each step taken, but sadness when activity stops. Once connected to the game via Bluetooth, the steps taken are converted into energy for the game character.

The next stage begins here. The character, a monkey in a spaceship, uses this energy to fire at doughnut-shaped bats, navigating through space with the gyroscope. When the energy runs out, it's time to walk again to continue the gameplay.

The vision for Miss Baker extends beyond this. It includes inter-device connectivity, displaying levels and progress, swappable cases, and multiple levels set on different planets.

Given the constraints of time and my skillset for the proof-of-concept, I had to tailor the project accordingly. Nevertheless, I wore all hats for Miss Baker – from ideation, electronic development, game design in Unity, to creating the illustrations.

The satisfaction derived from this project was immense. It taught me invaluable lessons in time management, confidence in my abilities, and most importantly, the capacity to rapidly learn and implement new concepts.

My journey with Miss Baker not only materialized into a tangible product but also brought along a wealth of learnings. One of the biggest takeaways was the realization that turning an idea into a full-blown product is much more than just executing an idea - it's a series of iterations, critical evaluations, and sometimes, going back to the drawing board.

Managing the project single-handedly made me understand the importance of efficient time management. Prioritizing tasks, breaking down the project into manageable chunks, and setting realistic deadlines were some of the key strategies I employed. They not only helped me stay on track but also kept the stress levels at bay.

This project also instilled in me a newfound confidence in my abilities. It reassured me that I could learn quickly, adapt, and successfully implement new ideas. Every challenge I encountered and overcame along the way only bolstered my problem-solving skills.

Moreover, the very essence of Miss Baker – a device aimed at promoting physical activity in children – helped me grasp the nuances of designing products that are not just functional, but also engaging and enjoyable.

Lastly, working on every aspect of the project, from the electronics to the illustrations, gave me an understanding of the various facets of product design and development. It allowed me to appreciate the interdependencies and the need for harmonious interaction between different elements of a product.

Footnote: The name "Miss Baker" holds a special significance - it is inspired by the first monkey who returned alive from a space mission, signifying exploration, adventure, and the courage to venture into the unknown.

Recommended article for further exploration: Miss Baker | space monkey