[June 30, 2014]

NCKU Students Invent Fun Interactive Toys

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Department of Industrial Design undergraduate students, Ho-Tsun Lai(???)and Ya-Chuen Mei(???)have developed a fun, interactive and educational game called "Chase, Jump and Run" for children and kinds of all ages.

This interactive game involves two main characters - the red eagle and the yellow chicks, where kids will wear the specially made costumes of diverse sizes and designs.

The game can be played in large groups of not only kids, but also adults.

The most interesting part is the inflatable costume made of non-hazardous recycled plastic which will protect users from injury due to collision.

With striking colors including red and yellow, the eterior of the costumes is made of velvet, in which dirty stains can be easily cleaned off, Lai said.

He also said, this game is based on the format of the conventional Hawk-Dove or Chicken game.

The red eagle, which has a pair of devil's hook made of felt, will chase after the yellow chicks with a pair of felt feathers. The yellow chicks must avoid from being caught by and getting stuck with the red eagle.

When a yellow chick gets caught, he or she has to change roles with the red eagle before continuing the game.

"As toy safety is vital, this invention uses inflatable plastic that prevents kids from injury due to collision during the game," commented Hsin-Jen Li from NCKU Affiliated Kindergarten. "Moreover, kids are attracted to the design and the game format with diverse functions. Overall, it is a very creative invention."

The game was tested on a group of kids in the kindergarten. While these kids enjoyed the game, the parents show good response to the game, citing the availability of different costumer sizes as its unique feature which allows greater interaction between parents and kids while playing the game.

"Our toy invention uses the behavioral methods of chasing, running, jumping and touching to focus on the feature of exercise and health, with an emphasis on interactivity and safety," according to Mei.

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