This project introduces a tactile tic-tac-toe game that can be played without relying on sight or voice, making it accessible to blind, deafblind, and sighted children alike.

We've built a working prototype based on our patented technology. It uses only 2 stepper motors to efficiently control 9 cells, while conventional approaches typically require one actuator per cell.

A live simulator is available to show how it works — check it out at https://pedrosacramento.github.io/tictactoe/.

The device features a 3×3 matrix of actuated cells that can change their content by rotating, like a rotary digit display. Behind those digits, 9 cranks are controlled by sliding structures that toggle between pull and push states. A microcontroller coordinates these states using two stepper motors and two cam mechanisms, each encoding all 8 possible pull-and-push combinations for a given row or column.

You can build this device at home using low-cost materials: 3mm aluminium rods and shafts, 3D-printed parts, and a G-code-compatible board.

By lowering the barrier to creating tactile technology, we aim to drive a new generation of devices that push the boundaries of tangible interaction. This extends beyond tic-tac-toe to braille learning aids, accessible puzzles, and much more.