Flying LEGO Bricks: Observations of Children Constructing and Playing with Programmable Matter

In this paper, we present a case study that explores how children could learn to interact with programmable matter. Flying drone swarms enable physical visualizations of complex data and simulation of physical objects and processes, e.g., planetary movements. The swarms can be digitally controlled as an ensemble as a form of (sparse) "programmable matter." We worked with the toy company LEGO®, to design and evaluate a "build and fly" experience with 240 children in a public exhibition. The children decorated a bendable handheld controller with LEGO® bricks and then used this controller to animate the flight of a 10-drone swarm. Results indicate that children enjoyed the constructive play and performance aspects of the system. Four main patterns of player behavior emerged, which we discuss in relation to possible improvements to the system. We provide implications for design of programmable matter systems for supporting child play experiences.