Speakeasy Cubes

The Speakeasy Cubes build social capital between strangers or friends through interactive play with a set of 2-3′ translucent cubes having games which react to their motion, orientation, and proximity to other cubes. They internally glow with multi-colored LEDs and communicate wirelessly.

Social capital is that “interconnectedness” that binds us together as a society.
The small scale prototypes are already done and work!

The Cubes have behaviors and games in which the participants interact and play. The behaviors and games are discovered with no instructions needed. The Cubes embody a sense of wonder and magic.

Because of the 2-3′ size of the Cubes and number of them, it is awkward for a single person to play with the cluster. Some Cube games can only be played when more than one Cube is simultaneously moved. It takes two or more to play; creating the shared experience; the social capital.

I’m making fun things that cause people to play together; building social capital!

Documents

• Speakeasy Cubes Project Description (pdf)
• Philosophical Intent of Speakeasy Cubes
• Dale Phurrough CV (pdf)

Videos (introduction, closeup, prototype demo)