Duck Looks to Shape Education
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA central Indiana startup is hoping to “transform education” with a rubber duck. Carmel-based pi lab plans to introduce Edwin the Duck later this year. The toy includes a rechargeable lithium ion battery, wireless connectivity and a waterproof speaker. The company says Edwin, which connects to iOS, Android and Windows devices, provides content in areas ranging from letters and numbers to helping parents get children to sleep. During an interview on Inside INdiana Business Television featuring TechPoint Mira Award winners, co-founders Don Inmon and Matt MacBeth said the idea came during a trip to China.
May 4, 2015
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — The 16th annual TechPoint Mira Awards were held Saturday in Indianapolis, honoring technological and entrepreneurial excellence in Indiana from businesses, organizations, and individuals. Carmel-based start up company, pi lab, earned two nominations: Mobile Tech and Tech Start Up of the Year, winning the Mobile Tech category.
Edwin the Duck is the world’s first interactive and educational rubber duck designed to make learning fun. Edwin, along with his app, incorporates the everyday activities of reading, playing, singing and going to sleep into extraordinary learning and rewarding experiences.
The Edwin App, compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows devices, is key to bringing Edwin’s world to life, and is comprised of four pillars of activity: Story Time, Play Time, Song Time and Sleepy Time.
Story Time
Original animated adventure stories bring important childhood lessons to life, emphasizing self-confidence, good decision-making, health, and other important topics. Edwin the toy will engage families as they read each story, narrating, quacking and lighting up during each adventure.
Play Time
Along with the basics of letters, numbers, shapes and colors, Edwin’s library of educational content will grow to include many more games for children of all ages, cultures, and skill levels. The toy’s built-in accelerometer allows for motion-based play, connecting the Edwin toy to the Edwin app with limitless possibilities.
Song Time
Edwin's custom written songs enhance daily activities, from brushing teeth to cleaning rooms, from getting ready for school to relieving stress, Edwin is there with musical sounds from his onboard speaker and digital interaction on screen. He can also stream your personal playlist directly from your device.
Sleepy Time
Edwin and the Edwin App create a completely unique and customizable bedtime experience. Edwin’s LED light can change colors, adjustable inside the app. Edwin’s lullabies are exclusively developed, and white noise sounds can help block outside noise.
Edwin the Rubber Duck Toy includes upgradable firmware and is a CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) certified sophisticated piece of technology. He is equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion battery, LED light, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, waterproof speaker and thermometer. Edwin also comes with a nest for charging and has a battery life of up to 8 hours.
His unique design enables him to float, wireless speaker and all, and ensures him to be fully mold resistant. Edwin will detect the temperature of the water with his onboard thermometer, which can also take human temperature and log it into your connected device.
Made for ages newborn to 9, Edwin will retail for $99.99 this summer at major electronics stores across the country and EdwinTheDuck.com. The Edwin App will be available free for download on iOS, and Android devices upon launch, with additional content available monthly for in-app purchases.
For more information, visit Edwintheduck.com
Connect with Edwin:
Facebook.com/the.edwin.duck
Twitter.com/EdwinTheDuck
About pi lab
The inventors at pi lab believe in the power of imagination, the joy and inspiration derived from the creative process, and using our abilities and experiences to invent products that change the way children learn.
Founded in 2013 in Carmel, Indiana, pi lab specializes in product and mobile app creation. Visit http://thepilab.com for more information.
About TechPoint
TechPoint is the voice and catalyst for Indiana’s technology companies and overall tech ecosystem. The team is focused on: 1.) connecting the community through events, 2.) sharing the stories of companies and people on techpoint.org, 3.) attracting valuable talent, and 4.) connecting our most promising companies with capital and customers. For more information, please visit www.techpoint.org.
Source: pi lab