Oct 21, 2015 | By Kira

Christmas is right around the corner (scary, I know), and that means parents everywhere will be flocking to the nearest mall, desperately grabbing up whatever trendy toy is on their child’s wish list. But no matter what this year’s most desirable doll, game, or action figure is, a store-bought toy is a store-bought toy, created in a factory and identical in every way to the billions of other versions out there. What if instead of a generic gift, you could give the gift of creativity?

A new Lithuanian startup is looking to start the next generation of personalized toys with their TOYBIC platform, an online application where users can design and customize RC race cars and then either buy the finished model or 3D print the parts to assemble it at home. The platform is designed to teach children (or users of all ages) how to model and 3D print, so even users with no prior skills or experience can learn about the technology and create their own custom toys.

TOYBIC is about interactivity in every sense of the word—not just computer interactivity, whereby users are encouraged to modify existing templates and share their creations with the virtual community, but real-life interactivity between parents and their children. “The main idea was to change the perspective of toy buying,” Ignas Talalas, founder of TOYBIC told 3Ders.org. “We want to replace ‘bought, gave away and forgot’ with ‘let’s create, make and play together’…What we have today is a lot of mass produced brand toys, a lot of choices, but nothing personal.” The project lets encourages families to come together while simultaneously learning about the wonders of 3D technologies. In addition, TOYBIC cars promote sustainability, as broken or old parts can simply be re-designed and re-printed without the need to replace the entire toy.

3D variations of the original prototype

“It’s not about one car model, it’s an online customizable and 3D printable toy store,” said Talalas. Using the TOYBIC online platform, customers can choose from existing model templates, and create a personal virtual gallery—a cyberspace ‘garage’— of their models, which can be shared, discussed, and even sold to other users. The 3D models are completely customizable, even for those with no prior design experience, as users can change the size, color, or add their names or other text. From there, users can decide to either leave their creations online, or actually bring them to life by ordering the pre-made model or 3D printable files so that they can 3D print and assemble their RC car at home.

“We want to give users their virtual garages, no need to buy and print everything, they'll be able to make as many toys as they want, and print them only if desired,” Talalas told 3Ders.org. “The goal is to create a community, where children could expand they creativity without knowing how to 3D model things.”

Intial design sketches, 3D printing the prototype, and the final 3D printed parts for assembly

The real-life RC cars will come in two parts: the base and the body. The base is a single unit housing all of the electronics, where as the body includes all 3D printable pieces. This means you could have one base, with a series of different body designs that you could swap in or out as you please, or trade with friends.  While the base is not yet 3D printed, the company is working on creating a fully 3D printable version (with the exception of the metal and electronic parts).

The platform also lets users bring the interactivity of virtual games into the real world by incorporating a variety of features into their customized RC car models, including war, race and other game scenarios with built-in camera, speakers, WiFI connectivity, magnetic field detection, infra-red receivers, and other technologies. In the future, the company intends to include other feature-rich electronic toys or action figures to their line, as well as more game-like graphics and customization options.

Though still in development stage, TOYBIC currently has a prototype of their pilot model (printed with an Ultimaker 2 in ABS plastic), and are working with mechanical and electrical engineers, a designer, and an IT editor to create the second version. The small, five-person team initially started work on the project when they entered the Science, Innovation and Technology Agency (MITA) technology start-up competition in Lithuania. The first protytpe was created by KTU Dizaino Centras (Kauna University of Technology’s Design Centre), led by Rūta Valušytė and designed by Denis Orlenok.

Images credit: TOYBIC

In order to drive their platform and involve as much of the community as possible, they are working with designers from around the world—from professional to amateur—who will provide their toy designs to the online shop. “Anyone who has ideas, cool 3D models for selling, or has the skills to 3D model their own toys, can participate in our project."

You can sign up on their website to be notified when the project officially launches. TOYBIC is helping advance the movement to get children involved in 3D printing and design technology from a young age, making it fun and educational, and opening the possibilities for what they can create later in their lives.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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