CRI听力:Creative Ideas on Display at Maker Carnival

The Maker Carnival is an amusement park that lets people enter the world of inventors who play with creative ideas and technology and have interesting lifestyles. The event, which runs until May 12th, features more than 50 gadgets created by more than 80 inventors.

More than 30 of all 50 inventions on display have been created by Chinese inventors.

The invention of Peng Huaishu, a Beijing native, has caught the attention of many spectators. His Algo Rhythm features a set of drum robots with programmable behavior.

Peng says he has never stopped trying to find the best ways to combine art and technology through his study of tangible interaction design at Carnegie Mellon University in the US.

"Out of a natural interest in music, kids are fascinated by my Algo Rhythm. Their playing process will help them to gradually cultivate a logical thinking ability as well as counting ability. I feel the Maker Carnival is a good platform that enables children to experience inventions. I also hope the platform will enable me to meet many others who share similar ideals so we might begin cooperating if they express an interest in it."

Among the exhibits, the Resistor JelTone is an edible toy piano that can be played and eaten at the same time. One of its inventors, Astrida Valigorsky from the United States, says both Jello and paper can be used to make the toy piano.

"There's an alternate version of this that can be made with paper and fairly simple wiring materials. So, you didn't need to go as far as making one out of jello, you could make one out of paper. And there's a website called Thingyverse that has the plans for both JelloTone and the paper piano."

Mitch Altman, a San Francisco-based hacker and inventor who is best known for inventing TV-B-Gone remote controls, has also been invited to the Maker Carnival.

"We are here to inspire each other, to be inspired and inspire all of China to explore the creativity that's just waiting to launch the entire country into its economic future. My hope is that this Maker Carnival will inspire you—all of you—to play. Your lives will certainly be more fulfilling."

Netizens have also been invited to vote on for their favorite inventi on the carnival's official website.

For CRI, I'm Xu Fei.