You'll Never Look at Bananas the Same Way Again

Bored with your conventional keyboard? Sick of joysticks? Tired of waiting for the bananas to ripen? Use Makey Makey and turn ordinary objects, even yourself, into touchpads and keyboard keys. No programming or software required. Makey Makey, dubbed "an invention kit for everyone," is the brainchild of Jay Silver SM '08 and Eric Rosenbaum SM '09, both PhD students in the Media Lab. Silver works for Intel Labs' Interaction Experience Research group, Rosenbaum for the Lifelong Kindergarten group.

At the most basic level, Makey Makey plugs into a computer via USB and lets users reassign the arrow keys, space bar, and left mouse click to objects by attaching alligator clips to the board and any material that can conduct at least a tiny bit of electricity. Turn Makey Makey over to access keyboard keys, the mouse, and more. Watch the video below for all sorts of inspired uses.

Makey Makey kits, which come with alligator clips and USB cable, are $35 (including shipping) and currently available on the Kickstarter website, though the cocreators have far surpassed their fundraising goals. Later this year, the kit will be available on Sparkfun's website and other select retailers.