Project 1: Concept 2 – Gyroscopic Tightrope Walker
Physical Principal: This toy will use gyroscopic forces to keep a tightrope walking toy on a string as it slides down an inclined tightrope. Two counter-rotating gyroscopes will be used to keep the toy balanced and prevent it from falling off the tightrope. Children will learn about how gyroscopes are used to stabilize objects by being able to experience the resistance to movement that occurs when the child attempts to rotate the toy. A clear window in the midsection of the toy would reveal how the toy works and show the children the brightly colored gearing that powers the gyroscopes.
Toy Interaction: Children will play with this toy by spinning the gyroscopes by pulling on a key which engages gears that spin the gyroscope. The child then places the toy onto the tightrope. On the tightrope the toy will descend due to the slope of the rope and remain balanced even if the child attempts to knock the toy off the rope or shake the surface that the tightrope rests upon.
Manufacture and Safety issues: This toy would be made of durable plastic and, internally, metal parts. The toy would be screwed together to prevent the child from easily getting to the small moving parts inside the toy. The key that is used to spin the gyros will be make of plastic and be large enough so that it is not a choking hazard.