You can build these marble runs and connect them to your smart home over Wi-Fi

The Verge - Apr 7th, 2025

Marblelous is revolutionizing traditional marble run toys by integrating technology into its design, allowing for Wi-Fi connectivity and smart home integration. The new sets, available via a Kickstarter campaign that has already surpassed its funding goal, feature powered components like motorized lifts and lane switchers, as well as a marble-detecting sensor. These innovations enable continuous ball movement and interaction with smart home devices, making the marble run experience more dynamic and engaging. The Kickstarter offers a basic starter set for approximately $87 and a Mega Geek Pack for around $547, with shipping expected by June 2025.

Marblelous sets themselves apart by using standard paper straws for tracks and providing compatibility with any six-millimeter diameter tubes, along with versatile mounting options, including Lego compatibility. This allows users to construct elaborate courses on various surfaces like walls and windows. The advanced components, termed Smart-Tricks, promise to enhance the traditional Rube Goldberg-inspired courses with features like teleporters and remote marble launchers, potentially spreading the marble run across different rooms or even global locations. This innovation not only modernizes the marble run but also introduces a new level of interactivity and creativity for enthusiasts of all ages.

Smart Home Kickstarter Crowdfunding Marblelous Marble Runs Wi Fi Connectivity Rube Goldberg

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article presents an interesting overview of Marblelous, highlighting its innovative features and smart home integration. While it is clear and engaging, the lack of diverse sources and critical perspectives limits its balance and source quality. The accuracy of specific claims, such as pricing and shipping dates, requires further verification. Overall, the story effectively captures the novelty of the product but would benefit from more transparency and a broader range of viewpoints to enhance its reliability and depth.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims about Marblelous, including its compatibility with flat vertical surfaces and integration with smart home devices. These claims are generally supported by the product's description on its Kickstarter campaign. However, specific details such as pricing and the exact features of the Smart-Tricks devices need further verification. The mention of a shipping start date in June 2025 is a precise claim but requires confirmation from the campaign or manufacturer updates to ensure its accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the innovative aspects of Marblelous, highlighting its technological advancements and compatibility features. While it provides a positive perspective on the product's potential, it lacks a critical viewpoint or discussion of possible limitations or challenges, such as potential technical issues or user experience concerns. Including perspectives from users or industry experts could provide a more balanced view.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that makes it easy to follow the description of Marblelous' features and benefits. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, which aids comprehension. However, some technical terms, like 'teleporter' or 'Smart-Tricks devices,' could be better explained for readers unfamiliar with the product.

Source quality

The article does not clearly cite its sources, relying heavily on information presumably obtained from Marblelous' promotional materials or Kickstarter page. The lack of diverse sources or independent expert opinions limits the credibility of the information. Including interviews with the creators or reviews from early testers could enhance the reliability of the claims.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the methodology for obtaining information. It does not mention any potential conflicts of interest or the basis for its claims. Providing more context about the source of information, such as direct quotes from the Kickstarter page or statements from the creators, would improve transparency.