Creating Baby Emma was an incredibly rewarding journey, blending nostalgia with creativity to bring an interactive doll to life that not only engages children but also helps in their emotional and mental development. I wanted to create something that would be more than simply a toy for young children but also a friend they could develop a relationship with, inspired by my sister's favorite firefly doll. Similar to how my sister learnt to look for her doll's reactions and repeat its sentences, the objective was to include features that promoted learning, emotional connection, and creativity.

I used both Arduino and Processing to bring Baby Emma to life. The doll's body was fitted with a variety of Arduino sensors and actuators, including pressure sensors and touch-sensitive pads. Processing, on the other hand, made sure the experience was responsive and smooth by assisting me in designing and implementing the doll's behavior and reactions through software as it would show "Hi" or "I am hungry" on the screen!

It was difficult at first to decide which aspects of the class I wanted to apply, but as the project developed and I saw the doll take shape—both physically and functionally—the effort paid off, and it was incredibly satisfying to watch Baby Emma come to life with her interactive features and her ability to "respond" to a child's touch. Learning that this doll could not only bring joy but also aid children in developing critical life skills like empathy, language, and motor abilities made the effort worthwhile. The finished product was not just a toy; it was a tool for growth, friendship, and enjoyment—a project that was both difficult and incredibly rewarding.

/**

Huge shoutout to the IXL Fellows and IXL learning assistants. I received the most help from them, and whenever I was struggling, I was able to ask them for advice! They helped me and walked me through the process, along with helping me with any questions I had along the way.