Meet Buddy, the viral device helping kids (and parents) with routines
It’s 7:40 a.m. My toddler is still in her pajamas, teeth unbrushed, melting down because I gave her vanilla yogurt instead of strawberry, and there is no way I will get her to daycare on time. Now it’s 9:30 p.m., and after an hour of trying to get her to wind down and get in bed, I doze off on her bedroom floor. And the whole thing is going to repeat itself tomorrow. Every parent has been here.…
Buddy, a small touchscreen device designed to assist both children and their parents with daily routines, has taken the internet by storm. The product, which launched on June 1 and sold out within hours, aims to simplify morning and bedtime routines, ultimately easing the chaos of family life.
Skylight, the company behind Buddy, has developed a unique approach to gamifying routines. By incorporating elements such as animations and celebratory stars, Buddy motivates kids to complete tasks without resorting to addictive features typically found in devices. During testing with a 4-year-old participant, Lily, she was enthusiastic about earning stars but readily returned to her activities after completing the routine.
In terms of design, Buddy features a squarish clock-like appearance with a round yellow button on top, which parents can use to switch off the alarm. Parents can customize daily tasks, and children physically press the button after completing each one, earning stars along the way. In the case of completing an entire routine, Buddy showers the child with a rewarding display of stars, flamingos, or cats, enhancing the overall experience.
The development process for Buddy involved multiple iterations. Initially launched as a digital photo frame through a Kickstarter campaign, Skylight's founder, Michael Segal, observed customers interacting with the frame and recognized the potential for a wider range of family applications. This led to the creation of a family calendar and eventually Buddy, a device specifically designed to address morning and nighttime routine challenges.
Industrial design firm Level, led by Nichole Rouillac, was tasked with creating the Buddy device. Rouillac's personal experiences with her eldest daughter's struggles during transitions inspired her work. Buddy's design process emphasized simplicity and child-friendly interaction, with a large yellow button that accommodates young children's fine motor skills. The device combines tactile controls with digital components, offering a refreshing alternative to the many household tools used for sleep assistance.
Buddy is available for $139, with a $119 option for subscribers; its initial stock sold out rapidly, leading to a restocking of the product.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
