Régine over at the WMMNA reports about a pediatric toothbrush prototype by designer Tom Bentley. The brush is to have a pressure indicator to monitor the amount of pressure applied by a child, and will also interact with a toy:
To encourage the child to brush twice a day the toothbrush interacts (via RF) with a silicone crocodile that will remind them to brush if they forget. The crocodile maintains a steady lifelike breathing motion, but if the child forgets to brush it will slow down until it eventually stops. The only way to re-animate it is for the child to brush their teeth correctly.
Using the toothbrush will develop the child’s motor skills from an early age so they can continue to brush correctly in the future.
To encourage the child to brush twice a day the toothbrush interacts (via RF) with a silicone crocodile that will remind them to brush if they forget. The crocodile maintains a steady lifelike breathing motion, but if the child forgets to brush it will slow down until it eventually stops. The only way to re-animate it is for the child to brush their teeth correctly.