‘The Connected Playground’ was inspired by new research into parents’ opinions on how their children play and the role of technology in children’s development.
The research shows that nearly two thirds (64 per cent) of British parents are concerned that their children aren’t getting enough stimulation through outdoor play, with seven in 10 (68 per cent) believing that their kids should have more exposure to playgrounds modernised with technology.
To make this a reality, Virgin Media O2 last week took over a playground at Kings Square Gardens in Islington, London, to create an enhanced outdoor play experience that promoted creativity and smart play through technology.
Gareth Lister, director of connectivity, Virgin Media O2, said, “Great connectivity has never been so integral to everyday life. From play to education, and everything in between, it sits at the heart of all that we do. Using our hyperfast gigabit broadband and 5G mobile networks, we created The Connected Playground to bring to life the boundless possibilities of connectivity.
“We’ll keep pushing boundaries and innovating so that our connectivity can continue to power new technologies and experiences of the future.”
The playground apparatus included swings, slides and climbing frames that were modified with sensors, pressure pads and infrared beams that reacted to a child’s movement to create music as they made their way around the playground.
Each interaction with the playground equipment influenced the pitch and tempo, adding another layer of sound to build a piece of music that could be heard through speakers throughout the play area.