2025

Design Awards Silver Winner - New York University

Emora

Entrant

New York University

Category

Toys - Creative Toys

Client's Name

Sitong Zhou (Silvia)

Country / Region:

United States

Emora is an intelligent companion toy designed to support children’s emotional expression, especially for those with communication difficulties, autism spectrum traits, or a lack of emotional education. Combining voice analysis, heart rate monitoring, and ambient light feedback, Emora offers gentle, tangible cues to help children understand and express their emotions. When hugged, it triggers comforting interactions such as storytelling, soothing lights, or music.

Emora’s jellyfish-inspired design features soft, child-safe materials and psychologically tested color schemes to create a calming, non-intrusive presence. Data collected from interactions is synced to a parent-facing app, providing insights into the child’s emotional trends and well-being.

Unlike traditional toys focused on entertainment or clinical devices with cold interfaces, Emora merges emotional sensing with playful interaction bridging empathy, design, and AI. It redefines the role of interactive toys in children’s emotional development and aims to offer sustainable, emotionally intelligent support to modern families.

Credits

Sitong Zhou (Silvia)
Z.VIA PTY LTD.
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