A S.T.E.A.M based open-ended Rubik's cube experience
3Doodle is an educational toy built with an aim to re-define S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning in educational settings.
It is inspired by the classic Rubik's cube and its movements.
It is inspired by the classic Rubik's cube and its movements.
Normally, the users move the cube's pieces following certain algorithms or set movements in order to obtain similar colors on each of the cube's faces.
3Doodle intends towards using these physical movements on the Rubik's Cube in order to create curves or lines. The main goal is to use the Rubik's Cube as a fun three-dimensional drawing tool that lets the user make their own creations!
3Doodle intends towards using these physical movements on the Rubik's Cube in order to create curves or lines. The main goal is to use the Rubik's Cube as a fun three-dimensional drawing tool that lets the user make their own creations!
Potentially, as a tool, 3Doodle intends to be able to successfully enable the users:
Here's how the prototype version looks (which was built within the time duration of two days).
- To develop their SPATIAL THINKING
- To use it as a mathematical tool to depict the CONVERSION OF MOVEMENTS INTO LOCUS OF BASIC SHAPES
- To easily visualize 2D SHAPES IN 3D SPACES
Here's how the prototype version looks (which was built within the time duration of two days).
Based on the user's Rubik's Cube movements, here are a few doodles that were created:
In order to "train the machine" (with context to AI), all the colored pieces on a regular Rubik's cube were removed and changed into a colorless cube. Each side was then color-coded and pictures of the cube were taken at different angles and positions with an intention to capture images of the cube in all the possible combinations and positions.
These images (after labelling them) were then transferred as an input into Fritz AI, a machine learning platform for app development, which in turn generated more new images to train the machine learning model. A user interface to enhance the interactiveness of the application was also created (which can be experienced in the video above). |
NOTE: This project was a part of the MIT Hackathon conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in December, 2019. It was the first-ever Hackathon of my life and was an amazing experience! We made it to the Top 10 teams! This project is currently open and undergoing iterations. |