Swinxs is a portable game console for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years. The screen-free console was marketed as suitable for in-and-outdoor play and used

RFID Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromag ...

technology, audio, and light as a replacement for a monitor. Games for the console typically have users engage in physical or educational play by using a synthesized voice in combination with other sounds and a light.

History

The console was designed by

Khodi Feiz Khodi Feiz (born 1963) is an industrial designer specialized in the fields of product design, furniture design, branding and strategic design. Biography Khodi (Khodayar) Feiz (1963) was born in Iran and moved to the United States at the age of ...

of Feiz Design before October 2, 2008. The system was developed by Dutch company ''Swinxs BV''. Swinxs was first introduced in 2008, starting in the Netherlands that spring. On October 2, 2008, the Swinxs launched in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. In the fourth quarter of 2008 Swinxs was also available in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The Middle East and

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

followed in early 2009. In August 2009 Swinxs was made available in the United States. The system cost $150 US Dollars in 2009. In December 2010 the system cost 3,000

pesos The peso is the monetary unit of several countries in the Americas, and the Philippines. Originating in the Spanish Empire, the word translates to "weight". In most countries the peso uses the same sign, "$", as many currencies named "dollar" ...

in Mexico. The system was sold with 4 wristbands included. The system and associated online services were discontinued in 2020.

Console Features

Swinxs works via either a

tangible user interface A tangible user interface (TUI) is a user interface in which a person interacts with digital information through the physical environment. The initial name was Graspable User Interface, which is no longer used. The purpose of TUI development i ...

or a simple

natural user interface In computing, a natural user interface (NUI) or natural interface is a user interface that is effectively invisible, and remains invisible as the user continuously learns increasingly complex interactions. The word "natural" is used because most c ...

. Because the system lacks a screen, output consists nearly exclusively of a simple light and speaker. The input is generated by three buttons (white, green, red), the RFID-reader, an accelerometer, a microphone and a USB port. The system supports between 1 and 10 players. A USB port on the system makes it possible to connect to a PC or

Macintosh The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and ...

. The USB port allowed new content to be downloaded and permits scores to be uploaded. The USB port is also used to recharge the internal battery, which when fully charged could run for approximately four hours.

SDK

The

Software Development Kit A software development kit (SDK) is a collection of software development tools in one installable package. They facilitate the creation of applications by having a compiler, debugger and sometimes a software framework. They are normally specific to ...

(SDK) was made available to the general developer population and did not cost money to use, making it possible for users to create Swinxs games. The SDK and the game

source code In computing, source code, or simply code, is any collection of code, with or without comments, written using a human-readable programming language, usually as plain text. The source code of a program is specially designed to facilitate the wo ...

s could be downloaded from the Swinxs' website. In order to program and test new games the SDK is equipped with an emulator. The games are written in the Swinxs Talk programming language, originating from the field of

Industrial robot An industrial robot is a robot system used for manufacturing. Industrial robots are automated, programmable and capable of movement on three or more axes. Typical applications of robots include welding, painting, assembly, disassembly, pick a ...

s (

programmable Logic controller A programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable controller is an industrial computer that has been ruggedized and adapted for the control of manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, machines, robotic devices, or any activity tha ...

s) and is based on the concept of

finite State Machines A finite-state machine (FSM) or finite-state automaton (FSA, plural: ''automata''), finite automaton, or simply a state machine, is a mathematical model of computation. It is an abstract machine that can be in exactly one of a finite number o ...

Wristbands

The wristbands, known as XS tags, are equipped with RFID chips that communicate with the Swinxs console. The wristbands are used as a controller for the Swinxs. Other objects could also have RFID chips embedded in them to act as game controllers, such as a

frisbee A frisbee (pronounced ), also called a flying disc or simply a disc, is a gliding toy or sporting item that is generally made of injection-molded plastic and roughly in diameter with a pronounced lip. It is used recreationally and competitive ...

Games

There are over 25 games ranging from active games like relay and duel to quizzes and ‘educational’ games. In October 2008, Swinxs launched card games. By linking Swinxs to a computer using a USB cable it is possible to upload gamescores to a

personal homepage Personal web pages are World Wide Web pages created by an individual to contain content of a personal nature rather than content pertaining to a company, organization or institution. Personal web pages are primarily used for informative or enter ...

on the Swinxs website. This website is also used for downloading new games until the service was discontinued.

Awards

*In November 2008 Swinxs won the third prize at the ''European Innovation Game Award''. *In June 2009 Swinxs won ''Game of the Year Award 2009''. This award will be presented by the 'Creative Child Magazine’ *In Fall 2009 Swinxs won a ''Parents' Choice'' award. *In August 2009 Swinxs won the ''National Parenting Publications Award''. *Also, in August 2009 just before their USA launch Swinxs was awarded the ''Seal of Approval'' by the ''National Parenting Center''.

References

External links

Homepage Swinxs

Developers site
* - Swinxs patent {{Home video game consoles Home video game consoles Discontinued video game consoles Seventh-generation video game consoles Educational hardware Products introduced in 2008 2000s toys 2010s toys Video gaming in the Netherlands