Living Labs: Designing sensory toys for neurodivergent children

At TEDI-London, our Living Labs module embodies our practical approach to engineering education. It gives students the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges by developing inclusive, creative and functional solutions. Through close collaboration with local industry partners and community organisations, students carry out detailed research, build and test their ideas, and consider wider factors such as ethics, accessibility and sustainability. 

This year our students designed sensory-focused solutions to support neurodivergent children, particularly those with autism and sensory processing differences. Working closely with  Phoenix Primary and Secondary School, students tackled the challenge of creating inclusive, interactive and therapeutic toys that combine engineering with empathy. 

These projects showcase the innovation and dedication of our students, blending advanced technology with an understanding of user needs. 

CritterCrafter: Build your own sensory creature 

Aisha, Nuri, Sammy, Cassidy and Mediha designed a modular toy that empowers children to design and build their own unique creatures using snap fit parts. Heads, wings, tails and legs can be mixed and matched to create endless combinations, each one engaging a different sensory pathway. 

The toy offers a multi-sensory experience, helping children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) explore sound, sight and touch through bright colours, tactile materials and soft audio feedback. The snap fit system is predictable and satisfying, encouraging fine motor development and fostering creative, multiplayer engagement. 

TideTurner: Making water play sensory and soothing 

TideTurner is a sensory system designed to support children with autism and sensory processing differences through interactive water play. Melih, Tabitha, Alisha and Arthur created two unique products: 

RippleBox – a compact, tabletop unit equipped with sliders, dials and buttons that control light, vibration and water patterns. 

WaveTable – a larger-scale setup with a vibrant jump mat, encouraging movement, play and shared interaction. 

Children can dip their hands in the water and feel the vibrations while watching light patterns ripple across the surface. Each control invites curiosity: sliders adjust brightness, dials cycle through colour spectrums and a randomised button sparks surprise animation. The result is an intuitive, fun and calming space that blends play with sensory therapy. 

“Working on the Living Labs project was a rewarding experience. We combined our strengths as a team to turn a creative idea into a functional and meaningful product.” – Melih 

Olii & Friends: A calming toy made for comfort 

Olii & Friends is a sensory toy designed to provide calming and engaging experiences for children on the autism spectrum. The project responds to a noticeable gap in the sensory toy market, one that prioritises fun, comfort and ease of use. 

Crafted with soft-touch materials and gentle, intuitive interactions, Olii encourages children to explore tactile sensations in a soothing, predictable way. Its design focuses on the child’s experience, featuring fun colours and a friendly form that invites trust and imaginative play. 

Polina, Daisy, Julian and Tchao aimed to develop a toy that could support emotional regulation and sensory relief while still feeling like a joyful, characterful companion. Olii is a testament to how simple, thoughtful design can centre neurodivergent children’s comfort and needs. 

Bubblenaut: Encouraging social play through movement and bubbles 

Monika, Joe, Akosua, Jaylani and Hassan developed Bubblenaut. It is a hand operated bubble machine designed to encourage parallel play and social interaction among children with autism, especially those who are non-verbal. Bubblenaut turns simple hand movements into a joyful bubble experience, encouraging play, communication and coordination. 

Children can turn a handle in different ways to release bubbles, either using individual finger slots or by holding a ball grip. This gives users choice in how they engage, while also helping to build hand-eye coordination. 

BEADZ: A toy for focus and self-expression 

BEADZ is a customisable toy designed for neurodivergent children who find it difficult to concentrate. With different textures, colours and stitched patterns, the toy can be tailored to each child’s sensory preferences. 

Haifa, Jowella, Chelsea, Finley and Marko focused on creating a product that helps children stay calm and focused while offering a creative outlet. While there’s room for further development and user testing, the concept shows how sensory toys can support emotional regulation and attention. 

These projects reflect on the technical and creative capabilities of our students as well as their deep care for the communities they are designing for.  

Read more about last year’s Living Labs.