Pillo Gaming Experience

Game Development

Hardware Integration

User Experience Design

A unique gaming system using a pillow as a controller, designed for people in special care homes.

Collaboration Scope

Objective

To enable everyone, regardless of intellectual or multiple disabilities, to engage in gaming by transforming an ordinary pillow into an interactive game controller.

Our collaboration with Vention has been pleasant, and we appreciate their attention to detail regarding sensor sensitivity. The product development cycle started with research providing many insights and leading to a successful end product. Also now, Vention is quick to respond to any issues with our products in the field.

Arno De Becker

Account Manager, Hulan

Challenge

Making a regular pillow pressure sensitive
Integrating all electronics while maintaining a small form factor
Implementing an automatic calibration function for user ease.
Selecting the right materials for the sensor-integrated fabric.
Combining rigid PCBs with flexible textile components.

Solution

Created a pillow with a textile pressure sensor to control games on a connected screen.
Enabled Bluetooth connectivity to link the pillow with an Apple TV, displaying the game on a monitor.
Designed the interaction so that hugging or compressing the pillow activates the game, allowing for solo or group play.
Very easy to activate and use by caregivers, to maximise play time and minimise hassle.

Benefits

From complex sensor solution to a durable, industrialized product within 12 months
First user tests within 3 months