Fidget Cube
 A Fidget Cube | |
| Inventor | Antsy Labs |
|---|---|
The Fidget Cube is a small handheld device (known as a fidget toy) designed by Antsy Labs.[1] It has sensory tools on all sides: a rocker switch, gears, a rolling ball, a small joystick, a spinning disc, a "rubbing stone", and 5 buttons.[2] The cube is intended to provide an easy way to occupy one's hands and other senses, particularly for self-soothing.[3][2]
Description of cube sides
The fidget cube has six sides that have different sensory stimuli mechanisms, that involve buttons discs, balls and cogs, switches, joysticks, and dents. Each face has been given a name based on their features.
Buttons
Usually the cube has five buttons arranged with one button at each corner and one in the middle of the face. Some of these buttons will make sounds when pressed to stimulate auditory sensors as well as touch sensors in the fingers.
Spin
This face has one rotatable disc with small indentation to help to spin the dial. On some fidget cubes the disc will make a sound when spun in a particular direction. This helps to stimulate fine motor function in the hand as well as stimulating touch and sound sensors.
Roll
This face is shared between three rotatable tactile cogs and a silver ball and socket. The ball is a smooth metal that stimulates motor function. The three tactile cogs are covered in valleys and ridges to stimulate touch sensors in the fingers.
Flip
The switch is a colored rectangle can be moved back and forth. On some fidget cubes when the switch is moved quickly it makes a sound where as if it moved slowly it does not make a sound.
Glide
The joy stick is similar to those found on game controllers and can pivot in all directions. This is a way to stimulate tactile sensors in the hand.
Breath
This is a small 2mm or 3mm trench cut into a face of the cube usually in shape of a thumb print or oval. The idea is the this trench is supposed to reduce anxiety similar to a worry stone.
Reception
In a positive review, The Verge described the cube as "basically a baby toy for adults".[4]
After its 2016 Kickstarter campaign, The Fidget Cube was one of the highest funded crowdfunding projects[5][6][7] (the tenth highest funded Kickstarter project).[8]
See also
References
- ↑ "Are fidget toys legitimately good for your brain, or pseudoscientific snake oil?". Digital Trends. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
- 1 2 "This bizarre 'fidget' toy can help you focus at work.". Mail Online. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
- ↑ "Fidget Cubes Awkward Relationship to Autistic Stimming". 6 February 2017.
- ↑ "The Fidget Cube is basically a baby toy for adults and I love it". The Verge. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
- ↑ "Fidgeters made this toy one of Kickstarter's most successful campaigns". 12 September 2016.
- ↑ Guzman, Zack (30 January 2017). "This 24-year-old made $345,000 in 2 months by beating Kickstarters to market".
- ↑ "The Story Behind Fidget Cube, the $4 Million Phenomenon You Didn't Know You Needed".
- ↑ "The Fidget Cube hit with shipping delays as knockoffs flood market". Polygon. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-04-15.