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Innovative Marble Run Set Incorporates Technology for Enhanced Play
Marble run toys have traditionally depended on gravity to guide marbles through intricate courses filled with obstacles. However, the creators of Marblelous aim to revolutionize this classic pastime by integrating technology into their designs. This new series of marble run building sets comes equipped with Wi-Fi-connected components, ensuring that marbles keep rolling continuously, alongside a marble-detecting sensor that enhances interaction with smart home devices.
Currently, Marblelous is available for backing through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that has successfully exceeded its initial funding target of $10,952. The entry-level starter set, offered at a promotional price of approximately $87, includes 10 meters of track and various obstacles. For those looking to dive deeper into the experience, the Mega Geek Pack is available for about $547, featuring two starter sets along with six electronic components, all at a substantial discount. Shipping for these products is anticipated to commence as early as June 2025, as the necessary manufacturing tools are already in place.
Each Marblelous set is designed with sufficient paper straws to construct an extensive course, but it also accommodates any straws or tubes with a diameter of six millimeters. The supports are versatile, utilizing suction cups or reusable putty to enable construction on vertical surfaces such as windows, mirrors, walls, and cabinets. Additionally, a universal mount allows for compatibility with Lego bricks, providing further creative possibilities for building support structures.
Beyond the basic gravity-driven obstacles, Marblelous sets introduce unique Smart-Tricks devices, distinguishing themselves from other marble run products, including Ravensburger’s GraviTrax. These Smart-Tricks incorporate both powered and Wi-Fi features, such as motorized lifts that can elevate marbles back to their starting point, lane switchers that redirect marbles onto different tracks, and teleporters that create the illusion of a marble vanishing and reappearing elsewhere in the course—or even across the globe.
The defining feature of Marblelous is its advanced jam sensor, which monitors the presence of marbles at any point in the run. This sensor links to the Marblelous mobile application, enabling it to interact with various smart home devices. For instance, users can set it up to play a specific song through a Google smart speaker or evoke particular lighting changes with Philips Hue lights. Remarkably, the sensor can also be utilized to trigger a marble launcher remotely, allowing for an expansive marble run that can expand across different rooms or locations as long as there is a Wi-Fi connection.
Source
www.theverge.com