Pico Cricket

Concept:
Date: 2007

Computers have become omnipresent in everyday life. “Pico Crickets” enables kids to playfully experience the digitization of the world.

A Pico Cricket is a tiny computer that can be hooked up to sensors, lights and loudspeakers. Its reactions are programmed by means of simple, text-based software. Combining it with classic arts & crafts materials results in objects like dolls that can dance to music.

The software behind “Pico Cricket” is Pico Blocks, a program that represents commands in the form of easy-to-manipulate blocks. Color-coding and differential forms indicate which command blocks fit together.

This system was developed by the Playful Invention Company (PICO), whose aim is to create technologies and applications that support children in a creative learning process. PICO’s products are based on research by the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten Group.

The Ars Electronica Center offers Pico Cricket workshops for 9- to 13-year-olds. Details are available on our program page or at our visitors’ service at center@aec.at