In our Materials class, we have been studying how products are made — from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing systems and user interaction. For this project, we were tasked with developing a speculative product that pushes beyond current norms. I chose to explore the future of play.
My concept is a Dino-Mecha Companion Maker — a toy system that allows children to design, assemble, and interact with their own robotic dinosaur companion. As AI and humanoid robots rapidly enter everyday life, I wanted to imagine how these technologies could influence the future of toys and childhood development.
Rather than toys being passive objects that eventually break or lose interest, this system encourages continuous creation, emotional connection, and open-ended play. The dinosaur is built from modular pieces, allowing its personality, shape, and abilities to change over time. Kids can make it, customize it, repair it, and even teach it behaviors. Play becomes interactive and evolving — not disposable.
