TECH IS MAKING KIDS OBESE. HERE’S HOW ONE ENGINEER IS USING IT TO GET KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE INSTEAD.

“Research shows us that kids these days don't move enough,” says Electronics Design Engineer Edmon Roy Bertulfo from A-Champs. “They spend way too many hours in front of screens and too little time being physically active. Everybody is aware of this problem, but so far there are no convincing product solutions that successfully engage kids in more physical activity. Our mission is to get children of all ages more active now, and in the future. We wanted to make a game that would get kids away from screens, running, jumping and playing in REAL life.”

Edmon wanted to create a game that would engage and entertain kids in the same way video games do, but offline. Away from tablet and computer screens. His idea was ROXs – a simple gaming concept designed to get kids scrambling around for high-scores.

“The basic set would come with three holsters and straps. Kids would be able to fix ROXs anywhere, on a person, a tree or just on the ground. Each ROXs would have 11 pre-programmed games but you could create your own rules and set the games to the player’s ability level, to cater for young or older children. Dynamic software inside of each ROXs would allow you to download new games and share scores with friends. The system could be expanded up to 50 additional ROX sensors. Imagine the fun you could have with that with all of your friends!”

Edmon’s vision combined touch and motion sensors, wireless communication, speakers, multi-coloured LED lights, sounds and inbuilt software. In order to bring all these components and features together, DesignSpark PCB offered the ideal solution.

A Lab Without Limits

“DesignSpark PCB only requires minimal effort to learn the tool with an interface that is intuitive to use. Helpful and necessary commands, properties and options are all present in the menus. Another factor is that customer support is quick to guide you if you encounter some difficulties. This is great for a free of charge CAD tool.”

Because there are no limits on collaboration, Edmon’s designs could easily be shared across an interdisciplinary and multinational team of industrial designers, hardware and software engineers and manufacturing professionals in Los Angeles and Shanghai. And best of all, it was all completely free.

“I have been recommending DesignSpark PCB to all my friends, amateur and professional alike. There are lots of products current under development at A-Champs and DesignSpark PCB will be the design software used to create them, so watch this space!”

If you’ve got an idea that you want to make a reality, registering for DesignSpark PCB and getting support from the online community is completely free. 

For more information visit www.designspark.com/pcb