Interactive mat makes child’s play into exercise

Using lights and sound the mat encourages children to move. If the test goes well then this play mat will form part of McDonald’s play environments with the aim of stimulating active play in children aged three to twelve.

“When the children use the mat they get exercise at the same time as they are developing other skills such as keeping time, improving coordination, developing their creativity and cooperation with others. It is play without the competitive element that is normally included in this type of product,” says Eva Fors, teacher at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences.

The mat extends six square metres with built-in sensors, sound and lights to encourage children to move. There are seven different games including sound memory and disco. These are selected on a screen connected to the mat. When the game is over it is possible to read off the amount of movement from the screen such as number of steps taken on the mat. The mat can also measure how well the child keeps in time as well as physical coordination.

This mat has been developed via different projects over a couple of years. The concept is based on research into the physical activity of children and IT at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences. Master’s of Science in Engineering students at KTH, Mechatronics and Built-in Systems Division, have been responsible for the technology. Consultants from Sensaytion have also been involved in this cooperative project with McDonald’s. They have worked with the sound communication and music production. This play mat has been produced with the aim of it functioning well in different environments – public places, for school physical education classes and at various treatment centres for children and young people.

Christer Gummeson