Character Mediated Communications 2009
A broadband connected toy, capable of facilitating games, reading stories and hosting remote communications.
The starfish has actuated arms, an LED face, an RFID reader, movement sensors, a speaker and microphone; all wirelessly connected via Bluetooth to a broadband connected PC. An onboard Arduino manages the autonomous behaviours and wireless communication.
Character Mediated Communications (2009). ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children - workshop on Children and Embodied Interaction: Seeking Common Ground. [PDF]
Connected Character was a BT research project with Andy Gower and Craig McCahill.