Pikku Kakkonen website + Arduino = cool stuff

Pikku kakkonen is the number one TV brand for children in Finland. It's website has grown steadily for the past few years, currently being used by over 150.000 households each month. But the website is already five years old and is being updated. Technically the update will focus on Magicast, our interactive audiovisual content management technology, allowing a wider range of content possibilities.

Background: Magicast

Magicast (magic + broadcast) is technically an interactive audiovisual content scripting language and a player for it. It is built using Flash (ActionScript 3.0), which works in web, desktop (PC and Mac) and mobile/tablet (Android and iOS) devices. Magicast comes with best practices and tools that help develop different kinds of contents through common administrative and debugging interfaces. The Magicast way of handling content is essential in keeping gigabytes of audiovisual content files and thousands of lines of content scropt in order. Magicast is not tied to any specific content type, as it can be extended through custom Flash code.

This project is one of three Demola projects that work with Magicast this spring. The focus on the technology is strong, because Magicast is in the process of being open sourced. One aspect of the projects is to test Magicast, provide feedback and maybe help in writing Magicast Wiki.

Project description

Pikku kakkonen is currently present on TV and on the web. But how about Pikku kakkonen live on tour? Not the characters on TV, but the games on the web! Think kiosk or installations, even toys. What would they be? Computers can be used to control sensors and actuators through for example an Arduino board. Computer can be connected to cameras, microphones and multiple screens or data projectors. Computers are also connected to the internet, uploading and downloading information from the Pikku kakkonen website.

The ambitious goal is actually very achievable technology wise. Magicast provides the basics, for dealing with content assets and for communicating with the server. Yle will provide technical assistance, for example regarding how Magicast deals with special hardware. Content wise the project group is free to explore the possibilities, make decisions and build something that has never been built before. Yle's characters are for the project group to use, as well as audiovisual assets, if necessary.

Skill requirements

- ActionScript 3.0 helps in creating more complex concepts, but Magicast does not require coding

- Prior experience in working with Arduino helps in designing a responsive installation

- Design skills: Set design, industrial design, graphic design, audio design

- Scriptwriting for Finnish children

- Basic understanding of children is always a plus

References

- Bofori, the first major Magicast project: http://yle.fi/bofori/ (registration required)

- Pikku kakkonen Demola project 2008: http://yle.fi/pikkukakkonen/#elainkarnevaalit

- Pikku kakkonen Demola project 2009: http://yle.fi/pikkukakkonen/#leimu

- Pikku kakkonen Demola project 2010: http://yle.fi/pikkukakkonen/#aikakone