Liverpool-based immersive tech studio Draw & Code is breaking into US and European retail markets with an enhanced version of its augmented reality (AR) smart toy.
SwapBots is an app designed to allow children to digitally customise physical toys and bring them to life through a smartphone or tablet.
The company is set to build on the “significant developments” made with the product as a result of working with Activate; a part-ERDF-funded project that helps SMEs grow by exploring and adopting emerging technologies.
Supported by both the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology (FACT) and Activate, Draw & Code was able to access the skills and technology needed to achieve market validation and late-stage user testing of the SwapBots app.
It has also appointed two new staff members to see it into its next stage of growth – former Angry Birds producer Becky Jones and Brett Page, formerly of Hasbro.
Marketing manager Phil Charnock said: “Access to funding is a major challenge for any business and Draw & Code is no exception. Despite Liverpool City Region being a hot-bed of interactive and games talent, it’s still hard to find the right staff and support.
“The opportunity to leverage experience like this is rare, and it’s encouraging to see business support programmes like Activate helping innovators access industry insight, for free.
“We’re aiming to push SwapBots into the US and European retail markets by 2020, and the support provided by Activate and FACT means we are much more prepared for the challenge both strategically, and in terms of the game design itself.”
Roger McKinley, head of innovation at FACT, added: “We are immensely pleased to have supported Draw & Code’s growth over the last year. A company that’s always been very present in the city is now getting the recognition and world platform it deserves.”