Create an educational toy that is fun for children and has an appeal to parents.
Brief
Finished design.
Inspiration
The concept combines snap circuit kits and classic wooden magnet train sets, creating a modular interactive town.
When playing, tracks can be strung together creatively and tracks send power from the source to different interactions. The toy is designed for children 3-8 years old.
Electronic Inspiration
Different parts of the town implement interactive electronics for both creating power and using power. Special tracks transmit power from building to building, inspired by snap circuit electronics and other basic electronics.
Graphic Inspiration
Graphics for the trains are inspired by real trains such as the NYC subway, as well as the simplified art style of CandyLab Toys model cars.
Sketches
Sketches explored the town system, train forms, interactive buildings, power-generating stations, and conductive track pieces.
Sketch sheet.
Final Model
The final model presents the modular town, train pieces, conductive tracks, and interactive power buildings as a unified educational toy system.
Final model.
Tracks
The tracks are the basic building blocks for the town. Some tracks feature metal contacts and wires to transmit power from the generators to the buildings that need it.
The tracks will be manufactured from ABS plastic and include metal contacts with positive and negative wires.
Track design and wiring diagram.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse is one of the buildings children can interact with. When connected to power, the light turns on and the light spins.
It will be made from pine because it is a lighter wood and is relatively inexpensive. The electronics include a light bulb and motor.
Lighthouse exploded view.
Hydroelectric Power
The hydroelectric power station teaches children how hydroelectric generators work. Instead of water turning the turbine, the child turns it.
The wheel features a small crank handle to generate power. The building will be made from pine, and the wheel and handle will be made from ABS plastic.
"Hydrolic" power generator.
Solar Power
The solar power generator does not use an actual solar panel due to efficiency and cost, but it has a light sensor on top to teach that sunlight is required for power.
The building will be made from pine and the tracks will be made from ABS plastic. Components include a light sensor, light bulb, batteries, and power switch.
"Solar power generator" with light sensor.
Train Design
The pine wood trains feature magnets on either side, allowing children to chain trains together.
The train shown in the presentation is based on the 1 subway in NYC. The wheels will be made from shiny-finish ABS plastic.
Train design.
In Context
City Circuits is designed for children to build a town, connect power-generating buildings, and see how electricity moves through the track system.
City Circuits getting played with.