Fidget Cube
The Fidget Cube was created by Antsy Labs. It is small enough to fit in the palm and is designed to help people stay more focused. It has been called a "baby toy" for adults, an "autism cube," and a "stress cube" by some to reflect the reported medical benefits.[1][2] The device has many tools on every side that can be played around with using simple fine-motor hand movements without needing to look at it. The movements emulate other fidget activities, such as using worry stones, pen clicking, and other actions. The Fidget Cube actions include on and off rocker switches, rolling balls, spinning discs, multiple buttons that can be pressed and unpressed, a rubber glide area, and even a tiny joystick.[3]
The Fidget Cube was designed to allow a person to basically fidget around while still being discreet about it. [4][3] A benefit of the Fidget Cube over other devices, like a Fidget Spinner is that it can be used without calling attention to it. While some of the buttons make clicking noises, others are completely silent.
History
The Fidget Cube was invented by 2 brothers, Matthew McLachlan and Mark McLachlan, who created a company called Antsy Labs. The Fidget Cube name was trademarked in 2016, but they had the initial idea back in 2012. The brothers themselves were fidgeters that would often do things like twirl a pen around, shake their legs, pop bubble wrap, or other actions. They thought there should be a device specifically designed to help with the problem. These types of people may have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), anxiety, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), autism, or just like to fidget for no specific real reason. Fidgeting can often help people stay focused that may otherwise find it hard to concentrate on a single task. Schools sometimes play music in the background during academic work to help students stay focused. Many people use the device to relieve [stress] and feel it has a calming effect on them.
The brothers used crowdfunding to finance the project and achieved tremendous success with it.[5] They initially asked for $15,000 in funding but got over $6M from backers, mostly in the form of early pre-orders for the device.
Fidget Toy Health Benefits
A 2015 study found that students with ADHD stay more focused when allowed to fidget at their desks. However, the results did not apply to people without ADHD.[6] There is still a lot of controversy over the actual benefits of using the device and more studies are needed to confirm things.
See also
References
- ↑ "The Fidget Cube is basically a baby toy for adults and I love it". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/2/7/14541632/fidget-cube-review-desk-toy-kickstarter. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
- ↑ "Are fidget toys legitimately good for your brain, or pseudoscientific snake oil?" (in en-US). Digital Trends. 2017-03-08. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/fidget-helps-concentration/. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "This bizarre 'fidget' toy can help you focus at work.". Mail Online. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3780244/Do-fidget-desk-Bizarre-toy-switches-buttons-clickers-claims-able-help-focus-work.html. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
- ↑ "Fidget Cubes Awkward Relationship to Autistic Stimming". 6 February 2017.
- ↑ "Fidgeters made this toy one of Kickstarter's most successful campaigns". 12 September 2016.
- ↑ {"A trial-by-trial analysis reveals more intense physical activity is associated with better cognitive control performance in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder".