East Liberty-based Electric Owl Studios is keeping children happy while they wait, one hospital at a time.
In a salute to hero Fred Rogers, the Carnegie Mellon University ETC spinout hopes to create a child-friendly world where intuitive, unique applications inspire creativity and exploration, pushing the boundary of traditional children's entertainment.
Their flagship toy, K.I.C.K., kids interaction creation kiosks, is a futuristic fun device that entertains children to age seven with short interactive games while they pass the time in waiting rooms.
Unlike traditional digital games that can consume the player with levels, K.I.C.K. is designed so that parents can pull children away when it’s time to go. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has piloted K.I.C.K., placing seven kiosks in Oakland and one in Wexford, and the new hospital will purchase several more, says Fred Gallart, president and CEO.
In addition, K.I.C.K. has a home at the Give Kids the World Village, a magical resort in Florida that grants the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses, and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Tampa. More hospitals, doctor's offices, possibly airplane terminals, are in the future.
Another Electric Owl project—Splash!— is an Internet game that allows children to create and share art, offered through the ArtThread Foundation, a group working to build a global art-based community that serves those impacted by illness, physical limitations or social consequence.
“We really are a multi-faceted company,” explains Fred Gallart, president and CEO. ”We have this product but we can make anything anybody wants. We try to gear our projects toward positive social things for children.”
Writer: Debra Smit
Source: Fred Gallart, Electric Owl Studios
Image courtesy Electric Owl Studios