Hapiko, a technology company founded by Arun Gupta and Robert (Bob) Whitney, has launched a new product aimed at fostering creativity among children: the Stickerbox. Kids use the Scannable StickerMaker to turn any drawing or design into a reusable sticker. It includes a large red emergency box, monochrome display, and the big white push-to-talk button. The Stickerbox retails for $99.99 and includes three rolls of paper to get started. That’s enough to make 180 stickers, and you’ll get a lengthy power cord and easy-to-use colored pencils to get started!
The idea behind Stickerbox comes from Gupta and Whitney’s collective dream of creating AI tools that would cater explicitly to kids. After meeting on the e-commerce platform Grailed, Gupta and Whitney partnered to build interesting products. Whether students are getting immersed in the depths of the ocean or building robots with tinker kits, their goal is to inspire young minds through unique and imaginative experiences. Notably, Gupta’s background includes founding the Y Combinator-backed hardware sleep tracker WakeMate, while Whitney has experience leading engineering projects at The New York Times’ Games division.
The Features of Stickerbox
The Stickerbox is consistently packed with straightforward yet powerful craft themes that allow kids to color outside of the lines. Don’t worry, the device comes with a quick one-minute set-up process. Users will have to get the device on their Wi-Fi, which means being able to have the device recognize their home network. This simplified structure helps kids immediately jump into the magical realm Stickerbox unlocks.
This is the area that the device really shines in. Additionally it encourages users to transform these stickers into a whole new body of collaborative art projects. Gupta emphasizes the importance of allowing children to express their creativity: “Nobody’s building AI specifically for kids. So that’s what we’re looking for,” he stated, highlighting the unique niche that Stickerbox fills in the market.
Kids will have fun making stickers that express what they care about and who they are. As always, you can pick up three more sheets of stickers for only $5.99. That’s an additional 180 stickers to power the work you’ve got currently in the pipeline! Parents don’t have to worry when their kids are involved in productive play that fuels creativity.
A Commitment to Safety and Trust
Gupta and Whitney have both emphasized that safety — of all sorts — and trust are at the core of developing Stickerbox. As Gupta explains, “We want to be the trusted brand for parents where you don’t have to look over your kid’s shoulder and be like, ‘what are they doing? How are they using this?’” And this commitment is testament to their recognition that parents are right to worry about how kids interact with technology.
To achieve this goal, Gupta and Whitney are focused on establishing proper guidelines and standards for children’s use of AI tools. “What are the right guardrails? What are the right ways? What are the right products?” Gupta questioned, reinforcing their commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for young users.
Stickerbox provides kids a creative outlet while ensuring their safety is the top priority. Its approachable design and child-centric functionality make it a trusted tool for young users. This balance between engagement and responsibility positions Stickerbox as a reliable option for parents looking to encourage their children’s artistic pursuits.
User Experiences with Stickerbox
Early adopters of Stickerbox have been particularly excited on how the product inspires creativity. Matt Brezina, a parent who recently acquired the device for his children, shared his delight: “My kids got their stickerbox last week and have been ripping through rolls. It’s been fun to see them turn stickers into creative art projects.” This enthusiastic response underscores the device’s ability to transport young minds to exciting new places.
Whitney reflected on the impact of Stickerbox on children: “I just saw this look on his face of magic — like pure magic.” His observation underscores the magic that Stickerbox produces for its juvenile end-users. More importantly, it sparks their creativity in unexpected ways.
Gupta further elaborated on the importance of children’s creativity: “[They have] endless imagination and creativity … they’re learning new things every day. Every week, they’ve got a new obsession.” Additionally, this creative approach fits in perfectly with their mission to help children develop through play with imagination-, creativity- and fun-inspiring products.