Summary
- Profile Type
- Business request
- POD Reference
- BRDE20250515011
- Term of Validity
- 15 May 2025 - 15 May 2026
- Company's Country
- Germany
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- The German start-up develops an interactive, sensor-enabled playmat for children, which combines the well-known benefits of playing carpets with interactive stories and audio play elements. They are seeking a development and prototype production partner with expertise in smart textile or flexible electronics manufacturing (like for example smart yoga mats) under an outsourcing agreement.
- Full Description
-
The German startup is specialized in the development of innovative interactive play systems. Their mission is to combine hands-on interaction, immersive storytelling, and modern sensor technology to create screen-free entertainment for children that fosters creativity, decision-making, and active learning.
The company’s flagship product is a sensor-enabled playmat that interacts with physical character figures to activate storylines through an audio-based logic system. Children’s decisions influence the flow of the story, turning every play session into a unique adventure. The system blends analog movement with digital storytelling in a way that is both pedagogically valuable and technologically forward-thinking.
Founded in 2024, the company is currently preparing its first product for market launch and is seeking specialized manufacturing partners to support pre-series production (50–100 units), with long-term collaboration in mind.
The sought partner should be experienced in smart textile, soft plastic materials and embedded electronics to produce the developed playing mat. A good comparison could be smart yoga mats. A development and production partner under an outsourcing agreement is sought, willing to start with a small pre-series production. - Advantages and Innovations
- At the core of the company’s unique selling proposition is the integration of physical interaction, immersive storytelling, and expandable technology. Interchangeable surfaces and add-on packs enable new story worlds, updated figures, and fresh content to keep the experience engaging and adaptable over time. This modular approach, combined with the potential for sustainable materials, sets the company’s playing mat apart from conventional toys by offering a customizable, long-lasting solution that minimizes screen dependence and fosters imaginative play.
- Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
-
Core Requirements:
• Use of TPU, TPE, or similar soft, weldable materials
• High-frequency welding or lamination of multiple layers
• Embedding of conductive wiring (flex cables, silver ink, or other technologies)
• Placement and encapsulation of mini-PCBs (approx. 30 × 30 mm, provided by the German startup)
• Integration of LEDs and touch/pressure sensors per defined grid layout
• Electrical connectivity to external controller (audio box) via connector interface
Additional Requirements:
• Child-safe, durable, foldable, and wipe-clean surface
• Rigid-enough structure to ensure contact reliability
• Matte must withstand repeated folding and foot traffic
• All components must be CE and REACH compliant - Stage of Development
- Available for demonstration
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
The German smart toy development startup is looking for a production partner with expertise in smart textile or flexible electronics manufacturing. Particularly for products that combine soft materials and embedded electronics, like for example smart yoga mats.
The partner should support the development and small-batch production of a sensor-enabled playmat made from TPE or similar soft plastic materials. The mat integrates wiring and small, encapsulated PCBs with sensors and LEDs at specific touchpoints.
Partner responsibilities include:
• Consulting on material selection and lamination structure
• Execution of electronics integration or overmolding using TPE or a similar material
• Embedding or connecting flexible wiring and PCB modules
• Assisting in assembly, quality assurance, and CE certification processes
A first production run will include approx. 50–100 units, with long-term collaboration and scaled production in mind. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- Big company
- Other
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 02007014 - Plastics, Polymers
- 02007018 - Advanced Textile Materials
- 001001005 - Embedded Systems and Real Time Systems
- Market keywords
- 07001003 - Toys and electronic games
- 09004003 - Textiles (synthetic and natural)
- Targeted countries
- All countries
