tangible – Radical Atoms

jamSheets

katjani — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:36:21 +0000

This work introduces layer jamming as an enabling technology for designing deformable, stiffness-tunable, thin sheet interfaces. Interfaces that exhibit tunable stiffness properties can yield dynamic haptic feedback and shape deformation capabilities. Through three application prototypes, we demonstrate the benefits of using layer jamming in interface design.

Exhibition: Jifei Ou, Nikolaos Vlavianos, and Hiroshi Ishii Research: Jifei Ou, Lining Yao, Daniel Tauber, and Hiroshi Ishii

Lift-Bit

katjani — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:12:30 +0000

Lift-Bit is a modular, digitally reconfigurable furni- ture system that allows a sofa to seamlessly turn into a chair, a chaise longue, a bed, a complete lounge and a myriad of other configurations. The system is composed of a series of individual, uphol- stered stools. Each element is motorized using a linear actuator, enabling it to be raised or lowered. It can double (or halve) in height in just a few seconds. Lift-Bit can be controlled in person, via a simple ges- ture (just by hovering your hand over the seat), or from a distance by a mobile app. The app includes both a series of predetermined three-dimensional shapes and a tool to create dynamic new combi- nations. Paying homage to radical British architect Cedric Price’s 1970s Generator Project, the Lift-Bit system can even become “bored”: if it is not used for a long time it will start shape-shifting on its own to engage users.

Exhibition: Lift-Bit is a project by Carlo Ratti Associati, developed with the support of Vitra; Engineering and interaction design: Opendot; Originally realized in spring 2016 for the ROOMS: Novel Living Concepts exhibition organized by Salone del Mobile.Milano as part of the XXI Triennale; Carlo Ratti Associati team: Carlo Ratti, Giovanni de Niederhausern, Andrea Cassi (project leader), Ina Sefgjini, Damiano Gui, Antonio Atripaldi, Emanuele Protti, Gary Di Silvio, Daniele Belleri; OpenDot team: Alessandro Masserdotti, Fabrizio Pignoloni, Vittorio Cuculo.

inForm

katjani — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:56:41 +0000

inFORM is a shape display that gives physical form to digital information. Motorized pins extend from a tabletop to form a physical sculpture that users can view, touch and deform. inFORM can also interact with the world around it, by accurately moving and manipulating objects placed on its surface. Remote participants in a videoconference can be rendered physically, allowing for a strong sense of presence and the ability to manipulate distant objects.

Exhibition: Daniel Leithinger, Ken Nakagaki and Hiroshi Ishii Research: Daniel Leithinger, Sean Follmer, Alex Olwal, Philipp Schoessler, Jared Counts, Ken Nakagaki, David Doan, Basheer Tome, Akimitsu Hogge, and Hiroshi Ishii

Topobo

katjani — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:48:33 +0000

What is it like to sculpt with motion? Topobo is a construction toy with kinetic memory, able to record and playback physical motion. Snap together Passive (static) and Active (robotic) pieces into a creation, and with a press of a button and a flick of the wrist, you can teach your creation how to dance or walk. The same way you can learn how buildings stand by stacking up blocks, you can discover how animals walk by playing with Topobo.

Exhibition: Penny Webb and Hiroshi Ishii Research : Hayes Raffle, Amanda Parkes, Laura Yip and Hiroshi Ishii

SandScape

katjani — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:29:18 +0000

SandScape is a tangible interface for designing and understanding landscapes through a variety of computational simulations using sand. Users view these simulations as they are projected on the surface of a sand model that represents the terrain. The users can choose from a variety of different simulations that highlight either the height, slope, contours, shadows, drainage or aspect of the landscape model.

Exhibition: Daniel John Fitzgerald, Luke Vink, Ken Nakagaki, Nikolaos Vlavianos, and Hiroshi Ishii Research: Yao Wang, Assaf Biderman, Ben Piper, Carlo Ratti and Hiroshi Ishii

musicBottles

katjani — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 09:26:59 +0000

musicBottles is an interactive installation for visitors to interact with soundwaves encapsulated in bottles. The installation consists of a set of bottle that encapsulate sounds from Boston, Cambridge and the MIT neighborhood. When a visitor opens a bottle, sounds in the bottle evaporate into the atmosphere, giving visitors a glimpse into Bostonian culture through escaping sounds emanating from the glass vessels.

Exhibition: Udayan Umapathi, Penny Webb, Mitchell D Hwang, Patrick Shin and Hiroshi Ishii Research: Rich Fletcher, Ali Mazalek, Jay Lee, Seungho Choo, Joanna Berzowska, Craig Wisneski, Charlie Cano, Andres Hernandez, Colin Bulthaupand, Joe Paradiso and Hiroshi Ishii