Playgrounds that play back and a rather Cynical business plan

This idea was inspired by Corey Doctoro’s book “Makers” and a conversation with Bill Unkel and JP Gonzales during my visit to New Mexico about a month ago.

In Doctoro's book "Makers" there is a short anecdote with in the story, where the author briefly describes a playground that is associated with a regional hackerpsace that is designed to adapt itself to children's playing habits.  Every night the playground recalls what elements were played with the most and rebuilds itself to make the environment as entertaining as possible.  During our conversation about this idea a range of joking and semi serious ideas came forth.  The most cynical version is at the bottom of the document (namely because I spent a decent amount of my flight home trying to get the ideas semi-coherent in my head and I don't want to completely waste the effort)  First and foremost is a kind of ideal.

Imagine a playground that plays back.  While Star Trek's magic holideck might still be more fantasy than reality we are developing technologies that can add extra dimension to play.  Surfaces that know what game children are playing and adapt themselves accordingly.  When a group of players decide to play no-touch-ground freeze tag the floor actually becomes lava, glowing an ominous red and when someone steps in the lava, a projected ripple in the lava helps with disputes on whether or not a person is out.  During games of hide and seek, the playground will first work to distract the person seeking out other players, but as the game continues it might start to highlight where other players are hiding themselves.  Slides that let you know how fast you were going down them.  For obstacle courses elements will begin to glow a specific color so that children have a clear idea of what path to follow.  Mesh projectors and screens could turn a pirate cove into a space ship at a moments notice.

A more extreme version might work with several mobile 6 axis robotic arms and elements that are intended to be dynamically connected, allowing park spaces to grow according to interest and need.

Based on the freemium business model of software and online games, anyone can use the playground, but only those who have paid for the services will get the various advantages (which are dependent on the tier of service purchased) Creating more interactive playgrounds that augment play experiences with visual modifiers, activity tracking, adaptive system game play, bully detection, emergency system response…(all extra features available for a small fee)…  GOD I FEEL UNCLEAN   

Under the most extreme parody of this concept you might even imagine facial tracking quad copters following non-paying users around shouting insults and jabs at the child who can't afford the platform

“Benefits” promoting physical activity in children, promoting healthy socialization of children, allowing parents to let go of their children (as the environment could be perceived as safter),  give parents something to talk about as they can discuss the various play features that they have decided to utilize

Using touch sensors, integrated lighting, projectors, mechanical actuators, visual tracking systems…. The playground is intended to promote play on the entire surface, all while allowing children to experience an acceptable level of danger.

As more sophisticated technologies become available it would be reasonable to assume that their might even be a premium on surface properties where they are adapted according to the needs of the paying users.

Disturbingly enough teater totters that limit their range when free users are on them, or parents restricting certain mechanics of the playground equipment.