Edinburgh based start-up Playable Technology has introduced BeatBlocks, an iOS app that lets you use LEGO bricks to make beats.
Founded by Scottish academics and technology entrepreneurs, David Skulina and Benjaman Schogler (creators of the Skoog accessible MIDI controller), Playable says that they’ve created BeatBlocks to give children the best of both digital and real-world environments.
Beatblocks uses your iOS device’s camera and its custom AI to scan for different bricks. When it sees a brick it plays a sound. The color of a brick defines the instrument: lead sounds, bass sounds, drums and percussion. Beatblocks can recognize 2×2 or 4×2 bricks in red, yellow, orange, blue, green and pink.
“BeatBlocks extends the scope of construction toys like LEGO , honouring the original spirit of the toys, and adding an entirely new layer of creativity,” said co-founder Benjaman Schogler, a developmental psychologist and expert in educational technology, learning and play. “The App is so easy to use there is no need for training or lessons. It really is child’s play.”
Pricing and Availability:
BeatBlocks is available now. It is free to download, and $3.99 to unlock the full version.
looks like the kind of musical toy my tone deaf kids played with.
You’re right, everything should be as complex as elektron gear
This reminds me of the playtronica orbita.
it’s a concept but it sucks – the free version lasted for like a minute and then said I exceeded my trial for it – unless I am wrong I didn’t see any way to export the loops from it so it is kind of pointless