Contact: Shawn Uhlman, uhlmans@pdc.us, 503-823-7994
Local entrepreneur James Pritchett, founder and CEO of interactive media startup Morebots and a member of PDC’s Startup PDX Challenge 2016 class, has launched a $25,000 Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to fund the development of a new type of children’s book that uses technology to expand the story.
The Wonder Book is a 50+ page hardcover story of four kids exploring their neighborhood. Each page poses an “I wonder why?” question, which is answered by scanning the page using the Morebots app. Animated and interactive responses are displayed on the reader’s smart phone or tablet screen.
The book is appropriate for readers from three to 10+ years old. However, the app has an age setting that delivers more detailed responses to readers at different comprehension levels automatically.
Morebots, founded in 2015, has developed a technology platform and mobile app that brings children’s book stories to life when scanned. Digital characters (Morebots) are activated when a page is scanned and recognized. The digital character (from the book) can read the story or expand the topic on each page.
Inspired by his three children, Pritchett designed and developed the platform to help kids get answers in a safe online environment. He has been working with larger corporations like Providence Health & Services and KinderCare to create original scannable stories about preventative health care and bullying. Morebots is actively adding new independent authors and publishers to its list of compatible books.
Morebots has received investments from both the Startup PDX Challenge and the Oregon Story Board accelerator. The Morebots apps are available on the Android Google Play Market and Apple iOS app store.
Pritchett said, “Reaching and teaching kids early is what drives me! Writing The Wonder Book was inspired by watching my three kids grow and learn during their development years. By adding a new layer of discovery to storybooks, I truly believe we can expand young reader’s minds, dreams and knowledge. It’s time to expand.”
Pritchett is also a published fiction novelist and screenwriter.
