Linkitz wearable toy to teach programming, says developer

A Canadian start-up has secured $100,000 (Canadian) (€69,000) to design an educational fashion toy utilising wearable technology.

The company, Linkitz is now working to develop a prototype of the system, which will share the same name.

The toy will be based around a number of small modules which fit together via TSR plugs and jacks. The order in which they are connected will cause the Linkitz toys to light up, flash and change colour in different sequences.

The linked units can then be made into wearable items like necklaces and bracklets. The idea is that the toy will provide a fun way to introduce younger children - and especially girls - to programing.

Linkitz CEO Lyssa Neel, says: 'Girls are big on accessories and Linkitz will give them a chance to get programming chops as they make toys their own. A social toy and fashion item can motivate kids to learn more about technology.

'Building this type of confidence can help kids get comfortable with technology and grow from mere consumers to active creators - making technology playful at an early age can go a long way.'

The new funding has come from a local non-profit organisation the Northumberland Communities Futures Development Corporation via its annual N100 round of seed funding directed at innovative companies in Ontario.