In this post some interesting links which I found during the weekend. I’m still trying to figure out what my exact subject is gonna be. At least I have a list of different areas I can apply the subject of embodied interaction, so it is a matter of making a choice. The problem is that I always find a new area after reading papers, articles and watching video’s. I hate making choices.
Fine Collection of Curious Sound Objects
An artistic approach of using sensors in everyday objects. Technically, this project is very simple, but its strength lies in using everyday objects. Everyone recognizes and knows how to use these objects, only the expectation (feedback) is different. The coffee grinder and the bucket are the most fun examples, I think. Turning the coffee grinder handle faster or slower changes the pitch, while the bucket pouring motion let the sounds ‘drip’ out. Source.
iPhone remote control
iPhone remote control
Maybe because I’m leaning toward a multimedia interface (old fashion remotes suck) I find this project interesting. With this device you can customize the interface, making a selection of buttons that are fine tuned to your devices. Core 77 has an article about the device, that exactly explains my thoughts. It is funny actually, that it appears that everybody thinks the iPhone is the solution for everything. Say “iPhone” and you’re hip again.
pCubee: a Perspective-Corrected Handheld Cubic Display
Maybe a bit too far away from my own direction, but I like the aspect of an 3D virtual environment within a physical cube, making the visualization more real. The problem with this (and with all augmented reality) is that it needs trackers / markers to recognize someones point of view, making it only usable for limited users.
Phones That Touch Us
At the moment my direction is to make the interaction (input) more physical, but it also can work the other way around. Fabian Hemmert, a PHD student, tries to make information more tangible. He made some very early prototypes, but I can see this have use in the future.
Today’s systems have only two main outputs, namely vision and audio. haptic is a third one, think about old fashioned buttons (however, with the arrival of touchscreens, this kind of feedback is disappearing) or the vibration function on the mobile phone. Haptic or tactile feedback can reduce the visual overload that is common on traditional interfaces. Additional to visual or auditory feedback, haptic feedback can make the system more responsive and intuitive. I would love to do something with making digital data physical.
I like the end of his presentation:
“Not humans should get more technical in the future, but technology a bit more human.”
