A television whose frame is built from LEGO bricks was showcased at the IFA trade fair in Berlin. The device provides only basic image quality parameters, and its screen is relatively small by modern standards. However, it is characterized by a high safety profile and great resistance to damage, which is key if the equipment is to be used by children. The television is to be distributed, among other places, in toy stores.
“KidsTV is a television that stands out with its brick design. Every child can customize the appearance of their television based on their own imagination. When we did a review and focus group research, we found that children prefer pure chaos, unfettered imagination. Our product allows them to use this, making it not only a television but also a toy and something to customize. That’s the first aspect – the frame, the stand, the main beam. Even the TV logo is a detachable brick that can be placed anywhere. It even has a hole to hang on a keychain,” explains Arkady Zubritsky from KIVI Smart TV in a conversation with Newseria Innovations during the IFA 2023 trade fair in Berlin.
The TV frame can be decorated with any LEGO bricks which makes the device a toy even when the child is not using it to watch TV. Importantly – the device is designed to be not only attractive but also safe for young users.
“The screen is covered with protective glass. At the front of the TV, we use tempered glass with a thickness of 3 mm, thereby protecting it from children. It’s a very good glass when it comes to transparency parameters – the same as used in medical equipment, various vessels, and other products. To protect children, we include a set of four tapes in the TV set, which can be used to securely attach the TV to a table if it is placed on a stand,” emphasizes Arkady Zubritsky.
The frame and panel are thus resistant to damage that can happen when the TV is used by children, such as throwing a toy at the screen, scratching with a compass, or smearing with a marker. In the latter case, it is enough to wipe the screen with a sponge. Another element related to aesthetics is night lighting.
“The back of the TV has integrated lighting that we can control from the device itself or with a remote control. You can change brightness and use it even when the TV is off, as long as it is plugged into a socket. This is our flagship model,” adds the representative of KIVI company.
From a technological point of view, the television offers basic parameters. The 32-inch diagonal is small by today’s standards, the resolution is HD Ready (1280 x 720 px), and the screen brightness was noticed to be quite low during tests. The operating system is Android TV 11, so you can install the most popular streaming apps on it.
“The screen is big enough for several children. We believe that those customers who want to have a TV in a child’s room, and according to our research it is more than 6%, can finally choose a product designed and created specifically for this purpose. We plan to also sell it in toy stores and believe that it is a good chance to reach its ideal target group. Parents sometimes have trouble choosing a gift for children, and this is a really good proposition,” convinces Arkady Zubritsky.
A basic specification and small screen with fairly low brightness might paradoxically be an advantage when it comes to equipment for children. Overstimulation, related to the widespread access of the youngest to devices with screens: smartphones, tablets, and televisions, is being increasingly noticed by psychologists and speech therapists. Overstimulation can lead not only to sleep problems, but also to difficulties with mastering speech, and later understanding abstract concepts, such as metaphor.
