AR WONDERS: The Fusion of Physical and Digital Play

Unleashing Imagination with Dinosaur DNA

AR Wonders is a series of educational toys that combine hands-on fun with virtual excitement, bringing a brand new play experience to children aged 8 and up. With three items in the series - Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops - users can explore the fun of being paleontologists and bring prehistoric dinosaurs "back to life" before their very eyes.

What sets AR Wonders apart is its integration of Augmented Reality (AR) technology with the popular Dig a Dinosaur products. Kids can imagine being paleontologists as they dig up and build a glow dino skeleton from a plaster block using the provided tools. They can then collect a buried test tube of dinosaur DNA stickers and order the DNA correctly by placing the stickers on cardboard. By scanning the completed DNA chain (AR code) into a smartphone or tablet with the DinoCodes app, a life-sized 3D dinosaur will spring to life on the screen.

But the interaction doesn't stop there. Kids can take photos or videos with the virtual dinosaur and share them via social media or email. The app also provides fun facts, creating an immersive and educational experience.

AR Wonders utilizes the DinoCodes app, which recognizes the completed AR play mats through in-app AR technology. This allows a virtual 3-dimensional dinosaur to be recreated right on the display of the device. Users can interact with the virtual dinosaur from all angles in the real environment, capturing their imagination and creativity. The app also enables users to take real-time dinosaur mega movies and photos, instantly share their creations, and showcase their storytelling skills and creative thinking.

The AR Wonders series is a balance between traditional toys and intellectual technology. It combines the joy of digging activities with the excitement of virtual reality, providing a unique and engaging play experience for children.

With a box size of 24cm x 22cm x 6cm, an assembled glow dinosaur skeleton size of 13cm x 5.5cm x 15cm, and a virtual dinosaur size of 93.75cm x 262.5cm x 112.5cm, AR Wonders offers a tangible and immersive experience for children.

The project, led by Bonnie Mak and developed by 4M Industrial Development Limited, started in January 2015 in Hong Kong and was completed in January 2016. The design team aimed to create a fun and meaningful play experience that nurtures children's interests with educational toys.

AR Wonders was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Toys, Games, and Hobby Products Design category in 2016. This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding expertise and innovation demonstrated by the design. AR Wonders showcases a remarkable level of excellence, introducing positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.

AR Wonders: The Fusion of Physical and Digital Play is a pioneer in integrating traditional educational toys with AR technology. The Dinosaur DNA series inspires young minds and unleashes their imagination, providing an interactive and educational play experience like no other.