The concept:
The children are at their creative best when they are in the 6-9 year age group. This is the time when their memory and retention capacity is the strongest. Keeping this fact in mind, what better way can there be for children to create their own musical masterpieces while bouncing away on a Bouncy Castle! This is precisely what Marvin Bommarius has invented – the IRüUM – interactive inflatables that actually interact with the kids as they bounce. So how about giving your kids an evening of the regular bouncy castle along with some great classics such as “Floor Piano” and “Whack the Beaver”!
Key features:
The IRüUM prototype comprises of three walls and a floor with six fields – all attached with a pressure sensor detecting jumping movement on the floor. Dansefladen1 (the floor of the bouncy castle) is constructed our of a regular mattress having 2m x 1.5 m x 0.25 m dimensions. Six equal square pieces of cloth cover the mattress in three colors i.e. two squares per color – in order to represent each of the three fields. The cloth pieces are all attached to a blue-colored pressure sensor that is sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard. The six fields on the floor stand for the music notes ranging from A to F, whereas the three fields on the walls represent three different instruments guitar, drum and piano, and tones. Hence, all in all, the child gets to produce 21 different tones using three instruments upon bumping and jumping movement.
What’s in it for me?
This unique innovation would enable kids to create their own music until they reach a level of expertise just like they do when they learn a musical instrument. There is also a program in the IRüUM called ‘Follow the Leader’ which increases the retention capacity of the child and enhances memory. A particular piece is played and the child is then supposed to copy it. Gradually, the child attains perfection when he/she are able to produce the correct sounds. Upon winning a challenge the child gets a loud “MmmmMonsterKillkillkill” from the IRüUM. This innovation would sure be a hit with the kids and a great play time learning tool too!
