Sparky
Overview
Sparky is an interactive toy that allows you to turn everyday objects into wacky inventions and discover your inventor alter ego with the help of Google AI.
About
For instance, you can combine objects to make a new gadget to eat your favorite food, dream up a new instrument to make music or work on a new vehicle for travel.
Based on your inputs, you’ll be presented with your inventor alter ego, connecting you to inventors whose ideas changed our daily lives.
Process
In 2023, I was heavily interested in alternatives to text prompts: drawing instead of typing. Prototyped real-time image generation from drawings, but the AI’s interpretation was unpredictable.
At the Google Arts & Culture Lab, I continued exploring this in a hackathon - a drawing game without text prompts.
Still working on the same problem: how to move beyond typing.
The Pivot - From drawing to everyday objects
Trying to find a narrative or reason why AI could influence or evolve the game I was building, I was inspired by Rube Goldberg Machines (everyday objects used in silly ways) & Matty Benedetto of Unnecessary Inventions Fame (solving problems that don’t exist).
Drawing had issues: blank canvas paralysis, security concerns (inappropriate drawings).
Physical objects solved this:
- Familiar everyday items (no blank canvas problem)
- Safe, recognizable inputs
- Enables unexpected combinations - AI as creative collaborator
- Control inputs, AI surprises with output.
I developed a matching algorithm: Each object has trait profiles (practical, creative, playful, adaptive, social)
The algorithm analyzes your creative style across the three inventions and matches you to historical inventors from the Google Arts and Culture’s archive.
Reception
- New AI-powered experiments from Google Arts & Culture Artists in Residence — Google Blog
- Tool Tuesday: Google’s Arts and Culture Games — MindWing Concepts
Credits
- Creative Coder — Lex Fefegha
- Client — Google Arts & Culture Lab