David Merrill: Toy tiles that talk to each other

http://www.ted.com MIT grad student David Merrill demos Siftables -- cookie-sized, computerized tiles you can stack and shuffle in your hands. These future-toys can do math, play music, and talk to their friends, too. Is this the next thing in hands-on learning?

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

• Category

  Howto & Style

[Narwal88]

Not useless at all. The application is already in many video games and computer screens.

But I guess you have to have the proper imagination to figure out how to apply these things.

Imagine therapy for people with brain damage, or applications in environments where someone is trapped underground.. it would help if the computer knew which way is up. No?

[meph1980]

Sir, you are a genius! I salute you.

[samala51]

We need more people like this guy walking our earth

[umpri5450]

COUCOU RICM3 POLYTECH!!!

[umpri5450]

COUCOU RICM3 POLYTECH!!!! 

[Carly R]

How will the hexagon be different then the current shape? What are the benefits? Can you explain this to me so that I understand FaceWhatsAhead?

[FaceWhatsAhead]

This is why the hexagon is so fortunate.  :)

[Dan Berenato]

How did this get voted down? Really shows America's intolerance for others' opinions. I agree with you 100% and some people need a reality check.

[Dan Berenato]

I think you bring an interesting point up... what if they made touch screen or circular siftables that could act as control dials for volume or even like buttons to interact with integrated programs. The possiblities are endless but the wallet is unfortunately limited.

[Carly R]

How do you know all this, ma'am? How can you assure me of something that you aren't apart of? Or, are you? Run and tell me that.

[Dan Berenato]

good question, I have no idea but I think that would greatly enhance the possiblities of the product; so far I am not impressed.

[FaceWhatsAhead]

Their attempts this far have not come to fruition, but the idea is there in the back of their minds. They know it is right and they are brainstorming. Their ideas are blowing up because of the tessellative possibilities...

I assure you, these people can be encouraged to attempt AND DO exactly "this", sir. I assure you of that. Run and tell that.