A moment of movement through play
Stretch was borne out a brief - "Create a moment of COVID-aware interaction using a machine learning system". To that end, we wanted to move beyond integrating a COVID safety protocol into the interactions. Rather, we wanted to provide a moment of relief and joy to people.
Having been through isolation in each of our own homes, we brainstormed ideas that somehow provided the type of interactions that isolation takes away. At the end we finalized on - play.
Play in a COVID world seemed to be online only. But with Stretch! we wanted to have the best of both worlds, have fun and remain safe. To fulfill that criteria, the focus of the play had to be external i.e. Stretch is not a game where players play against one another. With Stretch!, the interaction between people is a by product of play - not a necessity.
Stretch is something we envision to deploy in any area with a wall : along a street, a corridor, a public square. The intent is for Stretch! to bring a moment of joy to those that walk by!
