There are two main components to the BorgCo child management system. One is a pair of shoes with embedded rare-earth magnets which the child cannot remove themselves; the other is a modular flooring system containing an array of electromagnets.

Fundamentally, the child is only able to lift one foot off the ground at a time. As soon as one foot is lifted, the electromagnets are energised by the control system, holding the other shoe very firmly in place.

This allows the child to walk (but not run) on the "paved" area, but not to leave it, jump in the air, or climb on the furniture. At the touch of a button on the remote control, the little sod can be completely immobilized for as long as necessary.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 18 2013

Toddler Crane Toddler_20Crane
The inspirational Prior Art for this idea. [8th of 7, Nov 18 2013]

//which the child cannot remove themselves//

You clearly don't know many children. The only way the child wouldn't be able to remove them is if you actually wanted him to do so.
-- ytk, Nov 18 2013


Why are the magnets not embedded?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 18 2013


I predict a lot of kids running round in their socks and bare feet.
-- popbottle, Nov 19 2013


A couple of 6" nails would also do the trick.
-- not_morrison_rm, Nov 21 2013


Actually, that was the prototype. Worked perfectly.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 22 2013


Hmm, which washers did you use?
-- not_morrison_rm, Nov 22 2013


M8 penny washers, 18/8 stainless steel. They clean up nicely in a regular dishwasher, or you can just run them under a cold tap to get the worst of the blood and tissue off.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 22 2013


Provided sufficiently powerful electromagnets, the polarity could be reversed to provide a fun and inherently dangerous zero-g play experience for the kids while simultaneously keeping the floors mud free for hard- working moms.
-- Alterother, Nov 22 2013



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