Marcelo Coelho

Shape-changing interfaces

The design of physical interfaces has been constrained by the relative akinesis of the material world. Current advances in materials science promise to change this. In this paper, we present a foundation for the design of shape-changing surfaces in human–computer interaction. We provide a survey of shape-changing materials and their primary dynamic properties, define the concept of soft mechanics within an HCI context, and describe a soft mechanical alphabet that provides the kinetic foundation for the design of four design probes: Surflex, SpeakCup, Sprout I/O, and Shutters. These probes explore how individual soft mechanical elements can be combined to create large-scale transformable surfaces, which can alter their topology, texture, and permeability. We conclude by providing application themes for shape-changing materials in HCI and directions for future work.

Surflex: a programmable surface for the design of tangible interfaces

In this paper we describe Surflex, a programmable surface for the design and visualization of physical forms. Surflex combines the physical properties of shape-memory alloy and foam to create a surface that can be electronically controlled to deform and gain new shapes. We describe implementation details, the possibilities enabled by the use of smart materials and soft mechanics in human computer interaction, as well as future applications for this technology.

Pulp-based computing: a framework for building computers out of paper

In this video, we describe a series of techniques for building sensors, actuators and circuit boards that behave, look, and feel like paper. By embedding electro-active inks, conductive threads and smart materials directly into paper during the papermaking process, we have developed seamless composites that are capable of supporting new and unexpected application domains in ubiquitous and pervasive computing at affordable costs.

Kukkia and Vilkas: kinetic electronic garments

This paper describes our first experiments in developing kinetic electronic garments, within the context of fashion and personal expression. We have integrated the shape memory alloy Nitinol in textile substrates to create Kukkia and Vilkas, two animated dresses that move or change shape over time, using resistive heating and control electronics. We describe fabrication details, including Nitinol shape setting and felting of the textile substrate. We suggest various models for programming the behavior of such an artifact, including animated, reactive, and interactive models.

Sprout I/O: a texturally rich interface

In this paper we describe Sprout I/O, a novel haptic interface for tactile and visual communication. Sprout I/O combines textiles and shape-memory alloys to create a soft and kinetic membrane with truly co-located input and output. We describe implementation details, the affordances made possible by the use of smart materials in human computer interaction and possible applications for this technology.

Shutters: a permeable surface for environmental control and communication

Surfaces capable of modulating permeability have long been used in architecture for environmental control, but have remained largely unexplored as information displays. The advent of new shape changing materials and construction techniques promises to change this. In this paper, we describe Shutters: a curtain composed of actuated louvers that can be individually addressed for precise control of ventilation, daylight incidence and information display. We discuss related work, the underlying design principles behind Shutters, engineering details and application scenarios in architecture and fashion. We conclude with a comparative visual study for the use of permeability in kinetic and shadow displays and provide directions for future work.

Cornucopia: The Concept of Digital Gastronomy

ABSTRACT The authors present a new concept of digital gastronomy—Cornucopia, a futuristic cooking methodology based on digital technologies. They discuss how they have merged kitchen tools with science fiction and actual technologies to create this new design space for gastronomy. The Virtuoso Mixer, the Digital Fabricator and the Robotic Chef were conceptualized to enable more flexibility and control over each of the most important elements of cooking: mixing ingredients, modeling food shapes and transforming edible matter from one state to another. The authors discuss related work and ideas, present their designs and propose their vision for the emerging design space of digital gastronomy.

Programming reality: from transitive materials to organic user interfaces

Over the past few years, a quiet revolution has been redefining our fundamental computing technologies. Flexible E-Ink, OLED displays, shape-changing materials, parametric design, e-textiles, sensor networks, and intelligent interfaces promise to spawn entirely new user experiences that will redefine our relationship with technology. This workshop invites researchers and practitioners to imagine and debate this future, exploring two converging themes. Transitive Materials focuses on how emerging materials and computationally-driven behaviors can operate in unison blurring the boundaries between form and function, human body and environment, structures and membranes. Organic User Interfaces (OUI) explores future interactive designs and applications as these materials become commonplace.

Six-forty by four-eighty: the post-industrial design of computational materials

In this paper we describe the development of Six-Forty by Four-Eighty: an art and design installation composed of 220 interactive lighting tiles. We discuss previous work that addresses the physicality of computation, our design and fabrication processes, technical implementation, the development of a novel technique for data transmission through the body, the pieces exhibition context and public response. By describing the interrelationship between these elements we hope to shed light into the forging of a post-industrial design practice that straddles the art, design and technology trichotomy.

SMOKS: the memory suits

This paper describes SMOKS, a pair of electronically enhanced suits that acts as an experimental platform for constructing individual and collective memories, for creating and nurturing social networks, and for personal communication and intimacy.The suits combine and overlay different interaction methodologies explored in our larger research project called Memory Rich Clothing. Moreover, rather than deploying a single social electronic artifact, we created garments in pairs, balancing the interaction affordances between users and creating conditions for the emergence of playful social networks surrounding the body.By capturing physical memories, representing traces of human touch, recording and playing sounds, and by providing hiding places for physical mementoes, the SMOKS use fashion and our interactions through clothing to accumulate and display traces of physical memory in personal and playful ways.