During the design process both the teacher’s perspective and the students’ needs were considered. On the one hand, interactive technologies can help to adapt the difficulty of the exercise to the performance of a student. On the other hand, schools have limited budgets and the class can’t be constantly interrupted to set up PE equipment. Something versatile would be a solution to both the budget problem and the constant setting up difficulties. With the different modes, VersaTiles offer a platform for teachers to come up with games and exercises.

Each tile is connected wirelessly to the others, has 9 pressure sensors and 81 LED lights. The wireless communication is possible due to a radio frequency module that has been connected to an Arduino microcontroller. This microcontroller also makes it possible to program different settings for the pressure sensors and LED lights, allowing for different play and teaching modes.

The pressure sensors that were used in the prototype were made by hand and consist out of two electrodes and a semiconductor foam. The 81 LED lights are powered by a powerful battery. Assembling a powerful battery in a product that is going to receive impacts is very dangerous. In order to ensure safety, the battery is secured by a safety fuse and also protected against deformation through a steel casing filled with fire resistant material.

The pre-programmed modes are what make VersaTiles adaptable and lead to different experiences, such as competition, exploration and expression. Example modes are: 1. By adding pressure to a spot in one tile, another tile lights up in this spot. This could teach a correct body position. 2. Once a spot on the mat is pressed, the lights stay on. This trace could show errors made in the performance of an exercise. 3. VersaTiles randomly lights up small areas. By pressing them, points are scored and shown in another mat. Its unpredictability helps levelling the playing field