New Deal Design, one of the world's leading tech design studios, has invented an artificial intelligence-equipped toy to fight the "distraction economy" by developing children's attention spans.
Called Spot, the toy is aimed at learning and discovery. It functions primarily as a handheld scanner that kids can point at an object around them, such as a flower or a bird, to hear it talk back.Using its AI software,Spot recognizes the object and voices a little monologue(独白)from it, processing information to suit children aged five to nine.
There's also a secondary function that comes into play at bedtime, when Spot uses its in-built projecto(r投影仪) to present a story made up around the day's discoveries.
Spot is a concept at this stage, one that grew out of the research New Deal Design conducted into children's development. The designers found that the right kind of toy could encourage focus,as opposed to instant satisfaction. They wanted to cultivate a kind of junior-level mindfulness that would set kids up with positive life skills.
In terms of appearance, Spot has a complicated look, with its 3D camera fixed in the head. The models are smooth, including a wooden handle,a button and a base. The choice of materials was inspired by traditional kids' building blocks.
When Spot recognizes an object, it blinks to signal it has locked the target. Its head also locks into place to avoid any shaking. As an example, New Deal Design describes a girl called Max, who among other things, encounters a robin while out with the toy. Via Spot, the bird says, "Hi Max, my name is Robin! Did you know ..."
At that night's Story Time, Spot starts "Once upon a time there was a little girl named Max who met a robin. One day, Max asked the robin ..." New Deal Design says that day summaries like this helps kids to relax and get better sleep. Seeing themselves at the centre of stories also helps to build self-confidence and self-awareness.
12. In which aspect do children benefit from the artificial intelligence-equipped toy?
A.encouraging focus | B.giving an instant satisfaction |
C.learning self-control | D.developing positive life skills |
13. According to the passage, which statement about Spot is right?
A.Spot tells stories programmed in advance. |
B.Spot is beneficial to developing children’s attention spans. |
C.Spot has already been used to fight the “distraction economy” now. |
D.Spot’s appearance was inspired by traditional kids’ building blocks. |
14. According to the text,who will the toy be useful for?
A.Tom, two years old, can’t recognize an object around him. |
B.Max, eight years old, wants to make up a story about robin. |
C.Tina, nine years old, can’t concentrate her attention on her class. |
D.Mike,twelve years old, wants to learn something about artificial intelligence. |
15. What is the passage mainly about?
A.A scientific invention | B.A learning program |
C.An creative method | D.A tech design studios |