The Varsity
Matt McKay
October 27, 2008
One of the top sports technology programs in the U.K. may have found a way to put the “play” back in playgrounds.
Play equipment manufacturer Playdale challenged the U.K.’s Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University to design a playing field that encourages children to exercise at a high intensity.
After three years, the group came up with i.play, a solar-powered, interactive playground system. Set on a circular surface with three cylindrical-shaped legs placed equal distances apart, the legs twist and snake above the ground before meeting in the middle of the circle. On each of the legs are activity switches placed at low, medium and high heights that, depending on the switch, are activated by being pressed, pulled, cranked, or twisted.