The only thing standing between your imagination and reality. . .
. . . is nothing.
Meet Belle
In many ways, Belle is like any other teenager. She likes reading, playing video games, and spending time with her friends and family. Belle is especially fond of fantasy books, especially tales of dragons and faraway places.
And like other kids her age, Belle has challenges — the challenges of growing up, tough homework assignments, and so on. But one obstacle that Belle faces isn’t typical at all: Belle is living with cancer.
More than anything, Belle wants a pet. But a live pet isn’t an option because of the health issues they can pose to Belle and her family. Plus, Belle doesn’t want just any pet; she wants a pet dragon so she can share her love for the mythical animal with her friends and family.
A girl with a wish
Sound impossible?
It isn’t.
Like any successful project, the right partners are crucial. Arrow worked with Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) to find the cutting-edge products that could help bring the dragon to life. Using ADI components, Belle’s dragon reacts to its environment, detects its orientation in space and changes in temperature. The dragon responds to touch, gets “tired” from a busy day, and gets excited when Belle offers one of its favorite treats.
Together with Make-A-Wish Colorado, Arrow set out to build a dragon for Belle that would interact with her much the way a live pet would, but without posing risk.
The only thing standing between your imagination and reality is nothing
Arrow and ADI worked with robotics innovator Caleb Chung to design and build the dragon. And in any fantasy story, there must be a journey of discovery. Emerge Studios built a virtual reality experience where Belle can see dragons live for herself and meet her own dragon for the first time — in a safe and engaging way.
ADI Components
ADXL363
ADI accelerometer and temperature sensor with a built-in ADC for synchronous data conversion
ADP5350
ADI power management IC to ensure the dragon has clean power
ADAU1462
ADI audio processor to help manage the dragon’s audio capabilities
LTC2875
ADI transceiver to help with motor control
LTC6810-1
ADI battery-monitoring IC
SSM3582A
ADI audio amplifier — because who’s ever heard of a quiet dragon?
ADUX1020
ADI photometric sensor to help the dragon interpret and respond to its surroundings
CY8CPROTO-062-4343W
Cypress PSoC6 that serves as the main processing center of the dragon
Belle’s dragon is so much more than a toy. It is a companion and a friend. It is truly a wish come true.
Belle’s dragon offers a technological solution to those in search of companionship and compassion,
the young and old alike.
Through companies like Arrow and ADI, technology opens doors previously thought locked. Working Five Years Out, what’s possible becomes practical.
A wish come true