SwapBots - augmented reality at play

by Startacus Admin

The children's toys that burst to life with your smartphone or tablet through the magic of augmented reality... thanks to Liverpool based startup SwapBots
Although we have written before about how augmented reality can be used for educational purposes, it is also undeniably a great medium for play.
Taking advantage of this fact, SwapBots is a game played in augmented reality using physical, collectible toys. The toys come in the form of blocks, and bots are made up of 3 of these blocks, which are then scanned into the app using a mobile device’s camera. There are 9 bots to collect and 729 combinations to scan in, each creating a different animation in the AR app. With both single player and multiplayer game modes, children can play alone or together, their tabletop or floor transforming into any number of environments and battlegrounds in front of their eyes.
Liverpool-based SwapBots won support from the UK Games Fund, a government fund to identify the best new games; was awarded a place on the Northern Stars accelerator programme by the then Tech North; and is part of the Hax San Francisco hardware startup accelerator. They have been featured in the press extensively, being called ‘Absolutely captivating’ by the Guardian and ‘Spectacular’ by Creative England. Nice work.
SwapBots is on Kickstarter and has raised £25,617, surpassing their goal. They will soon begin shipping, and pledgers will hopefully be receiving their SwapBots in time for Christmas. Now the test will be for how long after Christmas children will be playing with their SwapBots!
If you like this AR startup, you might want to read up on:
3co - selling products through augmented reality
Virtuali-Tee brings the science of anatomy to life
Kodama - 3D creation and interaction made easy
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.

Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.

The lowdown on FuturePlus, the startup that's on a mission to make sustainability accessible, achievable and affordable for all businesses.

John McLachlan, author and co-founder of Monkey Puzzle Training & Consultancy examines the differences between action-oriented and reflective leaders and which approach is best.

The fitness app that's not just about physical fitness; GoJoe helps employers to engage, motivate and connect their people across all pillars of wellbeing.

Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.

Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.

London-based startup Deep Render tackles the internet’s data and bandwidth challenges via its innovative AI-powered file compression technology.

The lowdown on Dublin-based startup and NUI Maynooth spin-out Neuromod Devices and its innovative evidence-based bimodal neuromodulation treatment for chronic tinnitus.

With the clear shift towards generative AI, Richard Hayes, search director at digital marketing agency Catalyst explores what it means for SEO...
Published on: 9th December 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Startup Sook Receives Investment from Tobin Capital 24th May 2023 Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.
- L Marks Seeking Startups and Scaleups for Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator 23rd May 2023 Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.
- United Utilities Innovation Lab launches call-out for innovative ideas for fifth programme 18th May 2023 Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.
- OneTech Spins Out from Capital Enterprise to Support Underserved Communities in Tech Across the UK 18th May 2023 Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.