Growing up, I remember how much my little sister adored her interactive firefly doll. For her, it was more than a toy; it was a friend she has kept until now. She would spend hours playing with it, smiling as it responded to her touch or pushing its antennas to hear it say "Hi!" Her understanding of the doll's sayings was what really grabbed my attention. Even at a young age, she was able to predict the doll's reactions and repeat the words that followed, such as "Hello!" or "I love you!" 

This experience influenced my desire to make an interactive doll that kids could "grow with" in addition to playing with. In order to help kids gain critical abilities like speech, empathy, and motor skills, I want to create a doll that can be used as a play and educational tool. Like Emma’s doll, it will become a friend to children along with being a learning device. The doll's purpose is to interact with kids in a way that encourages emotional intelligence development, conversation practice, and the learning of new phrases. I plan to incorporate interactive features such as speech, sounds, and touch sensors. I want to create a doll that becomes a friend in their journey of learning, play, and growth, helping them build important life skills as they interact and grow together.

Baby Emma (Interactive Doll) is a toy designed for young children that responds to touch, buttons, and other forms of interaction, making it a highly engaging and emotionally connected experience. Growing up, I gave my sister a similar interactive doll that was a firefly when she was a baby, and she still has it today, keeping it as a cherished childhood memento. This doll will use Arduino sensors and actuators, such as touch-sensitive pads or pressure sensors embedded in different areas of the doll's body, to trigger a variety of reactions like giggling, talking, or moving. A "laughing" or "hug" reaction, for instance, could happen when a child hits a button on the doll's hand. Also, the doll could have touch-sensitive sensors that respond to rocking or hugging. The project intends to provide young children with interactive play that encourages emotional and cognitive development while simultaneously providing them comfort, joy, and a sense of friendship.

Creating Baby Emma was such a fun experience! I had this vision of making a big doll with hair that users could style themselves, so I carefully glued individual yarn strands onto her head, allowing for easy tying or leaving it down. I also made sure her clothes were easy to put on and take off, adding to the interactive experience. To top it off, I designed the packaging to replicate a classic Barbie doll box, complete with the "Baby Emma" label, giving it that nostalgic feel. It was such a joy to bring this creative concept to life!

This project is for my younger sister, Emma. We shared everything as we grew up, including laughs, adventures, and dreams. You have always supported me, and I have supported you. Our relationship continues to grow closer despite the fact that life has led us in various directions and that we are now separated by university and high school.

Everything you've done for me and how much you've impacted who I am is reflected in this project. Despite the fact that we are no longer living under the same roof, you support me in whatever I do. You are my constant, my inspiration, and my rock. No matter where life takes us, this is how I try to keep a piece of you with me. I appreciate you being everything to me. This is for you.