Balloon pet: a full-body interaction toy for children

Children in the post-modern world often overwhelm their time with the Internet. Their obsession with the virtual world both undermines and underlines their loneliness in the physical world. This study aims to solve the virtual world dilemma by creating an original interactive product determined to pull young Internet surfers back into real-world communication and away from computer-caused separation. In this paper, we describe the Balloon Pet, a device with the capability of full-body movements that can provide children with company and communication. The Balloon Pet, according to its calling, is designed with a structure of two bracelets and one balloon. The balloon functions with the energy of helium and a balanced power system. It floats and moves in the air according to signals from an acceleration transducer in the bracelet. Having a Balloon Pet dancing above a child's head is like having a real fish swimming around the child.