Capsela is a construction toy brand consisting primarily of gears and motors in sphericalplastic capsules that can be connected to form various static or dynamic toys suitable for land or water. The capsules typically have six hollow octagonal connectors protruding, where an octagonal sleeve piece bridges between two capsules. The hollow connection pegs on a capsule can have electrical or rotary adapters inside, reaching into the next capsule. There are electric motor capsules, gear capsules, switch capsules, pontoon capsules, and others; there are also battery holders, wheels, propellers, impellers, lights, wires, and miscellaneous supporting pieces. Capsela products were originally manufactured by the Mitsubishi Pencil Company. The series was then licensed out to Play Jour and has since been produced by VTech, Kidology, and other subsidiaries. The range seems to have been re-released in Japan by Bandai, adding new colors to the basic range of transparent spheres. In the U.S., the Capsela line was purchased by Educational Insights, a manufacturer of learning toys and educational materials for school classroom, which has discontinued the line. Capsela has been relaunched as IQ Key. Although the capsules are now polyhedral rather than spherical, the new products are compatible with the original Capsela.
Product line
Capsela products were originally sold in at least four ranges:
Capsela Computer, the flagship range, based around a multi-function computer capsule capable of controlling motors and lights. Sets CRC2000 and ICR5000, the latter featuring an infrared remote control.
Capsela Voice Command systems have a small computer capable of responding to a number of voice commands. The 6000 system has a rudimentary wireless infrared remote control.
A sister product branded as SpaceLink, has no motorized parts and instead focuses on science fiction-themed accessories. This range appears to have been designed to be more appealing to children than the more educational original products. This includes sets 330, 345, 360, 610, 650, 670, 690, 805, 820, 835, 850, 860 and 895, ranging from 8 to 53 parts.
Capsela Powertram, a series designed to bridge Capsela and Spacelink, containing motor-driven construction components and Spacelink accessories. The Powertram unit is a motor driven platform which houses its own batteries and allows land vehicles to be constructed without the need for a separate switch box, battery compartments, wires and motors. This includes sets 275 and 375, with 26 and 42 parts respectively.
Capsela has been used in school science technology classes, and to promote technical careers in engineering, robotics and mechatronics to younger high school students, sometimes specifically targeting girls.
