The first product development was affectionately named “FlüüfffBoard One”, in honour of the first edition of the Belgian furry convention Flüüfff where it launched, which directly led to the inception of RoboCow Industries.
While this project had to be scrapped due to a show-stopper technical issue, and a re-design deemed pointless due to the lack of interest in the technology, the experience did teach us many important things about what it should have been instead. We definitely learned about the importance of evolving designs in dialogue with the intended users.
Thus, project Mimic was moved to the forefront, and development started on the first sub-modules: Mimic Vox and Mimic Visus.
What was FlüüfffBoard One?
FlüüfffBoard One was a costume voice box with a large number of pre-recorded phrases and/or sounds. It featured innovative techniques for speech control using a small number of switches with elegant wiring, and to reduce the sense of repetition often encountered with pre-recorded sound systems.
The device was intended for performers who do not require the use of their own voice to communicate with their audience. Typical, compatible characters would use squeaks, beeps, animal noises, or stock phrases from favourite movies and voice actors to interact with their audience. Of course, you could record your own voice acting as well and use it with the device.
Downloads
FlüüfffBoard One – User Manual v0.1.1 (pdf file)