Morphees: toward high "shape resolution" in self-actuated flexible mobile devices

Anne Roudaut, Karnik Abhijit, Markus Löchtefeld, Sriram Subramanian

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

174 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We introduce the term shape resolution, which adds to the existing definitions of screen and touch resolution. We propose a framework, based on a geometric model (Non-Uniform Rational B-splines), which defines a metric for shape resolution in ten features. We illustrate it by comparing the current related work of shape changing devices. We then propose the concept of Morphees that are self-actuated flexible mobile devices adapting their shapes on their own to the context of use in order to offer better affordances. For instance, when a game is launched, the mobile device morphs into a console-like shape by curling two opposite edges to be better grasped with two hands. We then create preliminary prototypes of Morphees in order to explore six different building strategies using advanced shape changing materials (dielectric electro active polymers and shape memory alloys). By comparing the shape resolution of our prototypes, we generate insights to help designers toward creating high shape resolution Morphees.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Pages593-602
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4503-1899-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2013

Research Groups and Themes

  • Bristol Interaction Group

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