Cardboard and Interactive Tech

Cardboard and Interactive Tech

When you think of innovative technology and interactive gaming, it is unlikely that the humble cardboard box is springing to mind.

Technological advances draw on fresh thinking and state-of-the-art materials, not bland, practical materials that have been around for over a Century. So, what was it that inspired designers to use corrugated cardboard in the creation of Nintendo Labo Kits and Google VR Sets?

Why Corrugated Cardboard is the Ideal Material

Nintendo designers state that corrugated cardboard was the ideal material to use at the design stage. It is quick and easy to form, assemble and adjust. If an idea fails, the cost of creating a new element at speed is minimal.

As they threw themselves into working with corrugated cardboard, they realised its potential. Their brief focused on creating gaming toys and tools which were playful and interactive. As cardboard can be pre-cut and is straight forward to assemble, it opened up the possibility of involving the gamer in the construction of the final product.

What’s more, if the gamer understands how the product is constructed, it is easier for them to make repairs when it gets damaged. As cardboard is cheap and readily available, the original parts can form templates from which replacement parts can be created.

We may have all enjoyed playing with cardboard boxes in our younger years, but selling cardboard gaming solutions presents more of a challenge. Yes, it is a robust and sustainable alternative to plastic, but would it catch on?

In April of this year, the Nintendo designers were presented with two BAFTA Gaming Awards. One was in the Family category, the other was for Game Innovation. This is a strong endorsement of their approach to design and the outcome.

Other Cardboard Products Following Suit

The design success and popularity of cardboard gaming has certainly inspired other brands to look at this humble packaging material with fresh eyes.

Chatterbox

Inspiring self-construction, Chatterbox is a corrugated smart speaker for children. It arrives flat packed, with clear instructions that youngsters can use to create a cardboard robot. This cardboard character is powered by Raspberry Pi, a small computer that is designed to encourage the exploration of computing.  Once constructed, children take control of programming the Chatterbox robot to do what they want it to do.

Ahadrone

Srinivasuli Reddy was inspired by the use of corrugated cardboard in consumer electronics. He saw the light, yet robust properties of this sustainable could be ideal for his ideas of a DIY drone. Working on aerodynamics, he produced a cardboard structure that could be assembled by any buyer.

Although not suited to flying in wet weather conditions, Ahadrone is low-cost and could easily become a ‘must have’ gift. Weighing less than 250gr, it is classed as a nano-drone.

Cardboard Engineering Expertise

If corrugated cardboard could help you to realise your design ideas, or could be the way to promote creative construction, get in touch with Aylesbury Box Company. Whether packaging or product, our cardboard engineering expertise can be invaluable in helping your concepts become a reality. Call us on 01296 436888.