Research @ MIT Media Lab | 2013
This project presents an enabling technology to build shape-changing interfaces through pneumatically-actuated soft composite materials. The composite materials integrate the capabilities of both input sensing and active shape output. This is enabled by the composites’ multi-layer structures with different mechanical or electrical properties. The shape changing states are computationally controllable through pneumatics and pre-defined structure. We explore the design space of PneUI through four applications: height changing buildingstangible phicons, a morphing barshape changing mobile, a transformable tablet cases and a shape shifting lamp.
Publication | UIST2013 | PneUI: Pneumatically Actuated Soft Composite Materials for Shape Changing Interfaces | Yao, L., Niiyama, N., Ou, J., Follmer, S., Della Silva, C., and Ishii, H.. | Best Paper Award | Best Demo Nominee
Shape Primitive – Bending
Application – Shape Changing Lamp
Shape Primitive – Texture Change – Multi Stage Texture
Shape Primitive – Texture Change – Multi Layer Texture
Pneumatic Control System
Fabrication Process
