An open-source physical computing environment combining paper cards with hand gestures. Using AprilTags and MediaPipe, create programs you can touch, move, and control with your hands. Built for makers, educators, and curious minds.
Terranova is an open-source physical computing environment inspired by Folk Computer. It combines AprilTag detection for paper cards with MediaPipe hand and gesture recognition, creating a truly interactive programming environment where both objects and your hands become the interface.
Place paper cards on a table, point, gesture, and interact—the camera tracks everything. AprilTags identify paper blocks, MediaPipe understands your hand movements, and the system brings your creations to life through projection and connected devices.
It's computing you can touch, rearrange, gesture at, and share with others in the same physical space.
📹 + 📄 + 🏷️
Camera + Paper + AprilTags
= Interactive Magic
🤖 + 🎴
Paper Blocks → Robot Movement
Physical Programming
RoverLab is the first Terranova module, designed to teach programming concepts through physical interaction. Kids (and adults!) arrange paper blocks with AprilTags to create programs that control real robots.
Each block represents a command—move forward, turn, repeat—and the robot executes the program as you build it on the table. No screens required, just paper, light, and imagination.
"From 8 to 80 years old, everyone can be a programmer."
Terranova brings together simple components to create a powerful creative tool
Arrange paper cards with AprilTags on your table to build your program
An overhead camera tracks AprilTags on cards and uses MediaPipe to detect your hands and gestures in real-time
The system interprets the arrangement as a program and prepares instructions
Robots execute commands, projections respond, and your creation comes alive!
Built with love, shared with everyone
Terranova is completely open source. All hardware designs, software, and documentation are freely available. We believe powerful creative tools should be accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Join our growing community of makers, educators, and creative technologists. Sign up for updates on new modules, workshops, and ways to contribute.
