Hsin-Liu Cindy Kao

NailO: Fingernails as an Input Surface

We present NailO, a nail-mounted gestural input surface. Using capacitive sensing on printed electrodes, the interface can distinguish on-nail finger swipe gestures with high accuracy (>92%). NailO works in real-time: we miniaturized the system to fit on the fingernail, while wirelessly transmitting the sensor data to a mobile phone or PC. NailO allows one-handed and always-available input, while being unobtrusive and discrete. Inspired by commercial nail stickers, the device blends into the users body, is customizable, fashionable and even removable. We show example applications of using the device as a remote controller when hands are busy and using the system to increase the input space of mobile phones.

DuoSkin: rapidly prototyping on-skin user interfaces using skin-friendly materials

Miniature devices have become wearable beyond the form factor of watches or rings---functional devices can now directly affix to the users skin, unlocking a much wider canvas for electronics. However, building such small and skin-friendly devices currently requires expensive materials and equipment that is mostly found in the medical domain. We present DuoSkin, a fabrication process that affords rapidly prototyping functional devices directly on the users skin using gold leaf as the key material, a commodity material that is skin-friendly, robust for everyday wear, and user-friendly in fabrication. We demonstrate how gold leaf enables three types of interaction modalities on DuoSkin devices: sensing touch input, displaying output, and communicating wirelessly with other devices. Importantly, DuoSkin incorporates aesthetic customizations found on body decoration, giving form to exposed interfaces that so far have mostly been concealed by covers. Our technical evaluation confirmed that gold leaf was more durable and preferable when affixed to skin than current commodity materials during everyday wear. This makes gold leaf a viable material for users to build functional and compelling on-skin devices. In our workshop evaluation, participants were able to customize their own on-skin music controllers that reflected personal aesthetics.

SensorTape: Modular and Programmable 3D-Aware Dense Sensor Network on a Tape

SensorTape is a modular and dense sensor network in a form factor of a tape. SensorTape is composed of interconnected and programmable sensor nodes on a flexible electronics substrate. Each node can sense its orientation with an inertial measurement unit, allowing deformation self-sensing of the whole tape. Also, nodes sense proximity using time-of-flight infrared. We developed network architecture to automatically determine the location of each sensor node, as SensorTape is cut and rejoined. Also, we made an intuitive graphical interface to program the tape. Our user study suggested that SensorTape enables users with different skill sets to intuitively create and program large sensor network arrays. We developed diverse applications ranging from wearables to home sensing, to show low deployment effort required by the user. We showed how SensorTape could be produced at scale using current technologies and we made a 2.3-meter long prototype.

Rovables: Miniature On-Body Robots as Mobile Wearables

We introduce Rovables, a miniature robot that can move freely on unmodified clothing. The robots are held in place by magnetic wheels, and can climb vertically. The robots are untethered and have an onboard battery, microcontroller, and wireless communications. They also contain a low-power localization system that uses wheel encoders and IMU, allowing Rovables to perform limited autonomous navigation on the body. In the technical evaluations, we found that Rovables can operate continuously for 45 minutes and can carry up to 1.5N. We propose an interaction space for mobile on-body devices spanning sensing, actuation, and interfaces, and develop application scenarios in that space. Our applications include on-body sensing, modular displays, tactile feedback and interactive clothing and jewelry.

MugShots: A Mug Display for Front and Back Stage Social Interaction in the Workplace

We explore creating objects for expressive communication in the workspace. As an initial step, we created MugShots, a coffee mug with a wireless OLED display that switches between public and private social interaction modes. Targeted for the workplace, MugShots is an intimate communication device in the personal office space, yet alternates to become a social catalyst to trigger conversation when brought to public areas. We present a prototype of MugShots along with a 21-person study, providing initial discussions and insight on designing objects for communication.

ChromoSkin: Towards Interactive Cosmetics Using Thermochromic Pigments

Makeup has been a body decoration process for self expression and transforming ones appearance. While the material composition and processes for creating makeup products have evolved, they still remain static and noninteractive. However, as our social contexts demand different representations of ourselves, we propose ChromoSkin, a dynamic color-changing makeup system which gives the wearer ability to seamlessly alter their appearance. As an initial exploration, we prototyped an interactive eye shadow tattoo composed of thermochromic pigments which are activated by electronics or ambient temperature conditions. We present the design and fabrication of these interactive cosmetics, and the challenges in creating skin interfaces that are seamless, dynamic, and fashionable.

Tattio: Fabrication of Aesthetic and Functional Temporary Tattoos

We present Tattio, a fabrication process that draws from current body decoration processes (i.e., jewelry-like metallic temporary tattoos) for the creation of on-skin technology. The fabrication process generates functional components such as NFC tags, circuitry, to Thermochromic tattoos, while maintaining the aesthetics and user experience of existing metallic temporary tattoos. The fabrication process is low cost, accessible and customizable; we seek to enable individuals to design, make, and wear their own skin technology creations. We present the fabrication flow, fabricated components, and also an initial user study probing perceptions towards wearing Tattio circuitry.

Exploring Interactions and Perceptions of Kinetic Wearables

Jewelry and accessories have long been objects for decorating the human body; however they remain static and non-interactive. This work explores opportunities for accessory-like kinetic wearables and their association with individual style. We developed Kino, a kinetic accessory system which enables both aesthetic and functional clothing-specific design possibilities. We engaged both fashion designers and every-day users to unpack envisioned use cases and perceptions of the system. Participants viewed the devices not as gadgets but as companions due to their close proximity to the body. They envisioned a wide range of usage scenarios, highlighting the complexity of mobility in relation to personal style. We observe how mobility offers opportunities for fluid representations of self, which is unachievable though static clothing and accessories. We also outline how personalized aesthetics is important for the meaning making of novel on-body devices.

Hybrid Body Craft

Hybrid Body Craft is a research practice to create on-body interfaces which embody the wearers identity. It inspires from the form factors and user experiences of existing body decorations. They serve duality as both wearable devices and body art, and are a hybrid of both. Future work seeks to evolve beyond the body surface and into skin itself through lotion form factors.

MugShots: everyday objects as social catalysts

We explore how everyday objects can serve as social catalysts to increase social interaction in the workplace. As an initial exploration, we created MugShots, a coffee mug with a wireless OLED display. Users can wirelessly transmit images onto the mug, revealing different self-identities though an everyday object, in turn triggering interest and conversation with others. We present a prototype of MugShots along with a 10 person pilot study to gauge the feasibility of this idea.