Luke and I are very excited to be working on this Folly comissioned project. We will be regularly updating this blog as the project progresses. We have just entered into our production phase, but for anyone interested this entry outlines the initial idea of the project and the technologies we will make use of in creating the project

Cubed comprises a set of tactile, handheld programmable plastic cubes that are wirelessly interconnected to form a meshed physical gaming system. The set provides the tools for a range of different individual and team-based games. It also offers the capacity for further game developments, utilizing feedback and input from participants.

Games are initiated by participants placing the cubes into a specific formation e.g. forming the letter H for a game of Hide and Seek, or the letter T for a game of Treasure Hunt.

Cubed makes use of recent advances in embedded and sensing technology to deliver a unique platform for kinesthetic engagement and creative play. Each cube consists of a hardwearing translucent plastic housing, containing a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that hosts a central microcontroller, infrared transceivers, and LED devices for each fascia.

The primary feedback method is an RGB LED per face, diffused to illuminate each complete side of the cube. Set next to each LED, an infrared LED and photodiode form a short-range transceiver, facilitating communication between cubes. The transceiver furthermore enables the detection of the proximity of adjacent cubes via the detection of reflected radiation.

The primary function of the embedded software is to propagate, update, and process a global database containing relevant positional and game state information. As such, the distributed entities act as a single meshed gaming system. User control is actioned solely through the arrangement of cubes into specific formations. The software reacts immediately to such scenarios, preventing the reliance upon user memory, and maximizing accessibility and ease of use.

New games in the form of software updates are transferred via the infrared transceivers. Only one cube requires updating, since this is propagated automatically.