Boston, Massachusetts Patent of the Year – 2024/2025

Unruly Studios Inc. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for transforming how kids learn through play. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12097424, titled “System of distributed interactive objects”, introduces a network of smart, touch-sensitive devices that respond to physical actions and connect wirelessly to create dynamic learning games.

This innovation blends physical movement with digital logic, helping children build coding skills while staying active. Each interactive object in the system, often shaped like a colorful floor button, can light up, make sounds, and detect when it’s stepped on. The objects communicate with one another, enabling game-based experiences that encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Educators and parents can customize games through a user-friendly interface, creating unique activities that promote physical engagement and STEM education. Unlike static coding apps, this system uses motion and real-time feedback to keep students interested and involved.

The impact extends beyond the classroom. These smart objects support inclusive learning by making coding accessible to students with different learning styles. They also promote healthy movement, addressing concerns about screen time. By combining education, exercise, and play in one intuitive system, Unruly Studios redefines what learning tools can be.