New Interactive Materials

1
New Interactive Materials

• Matthew Chalmers University of Glasgow

Cliff Randell University of Bristol
2
Technical Textiles

• A lot of wearable computers fit the boxes in
  pockets stereotype
• Relatively unwieldy devices, hidden in pockets
  and linings
• New textiles support sensing, display and
  communication
• Conductive fibres for buses and antennae
• Thermochromic/electroluminescent fibres changing
  colour
• Shape memory alloys, muscle wires and tactons
  changing shape/pressure
• Carbon-fibre stretch-sensing panels
• Sensors of heartbeat and other physiological
  properties
• Garments not (just) computers
• Everyday use, wherever one goes, for
  communication and expression
• On and about the body digital as well as
  physical, intimate, cultural

3
Initial Experiments

• Electromagnetic field detection and screening
• UHF (RF pingers, motes, Smart-Its) detectable at
  14m
• Radar frequencies GPS (1.8GHz) and Bluetooth
  (2.4GHz) possible
• Power levels of mobile phones (900MHz-1.8GHz) too
  strong
• Various screening materials available
  commercially
• Underlying backing for thermochromic textiles
• Sensitivity of dye can be tuned to be in a small
  and safe temperature range
• A safe voltage (20-25V) drove a 10cm length strip
  with a 31 transition
• Conductors for electrical signals and power
• 500mA, suitable for low-power sensors and
  microcontrollers and displays
• Organza can attach and drive LEDs directly

4
Prototype Components
5
Bristol Workshop, Dec 2004
6
Central Saint Martins
7
Ongoing Work

• Making and experimenting with samples and
  components
• Weaving conductive and EL fibres, stretch panels,
  pressure panels
• Connectors for the woven bus
• Adding other larger components, e.g. Bluetooth
  comms
• Contacts and welding
• Discussion with The Welding Institute, Cambridge
• The AHRB/EPSRC Emotional Wardrobe cluster
• First design workshop on March 9th
• Seamful Games
• Dark Bill one jacket per player
• Small numbers of prototype garments in a larger
  game setting

8
Conclusion

• Technical textiles
• New materials affording sensing, display and
  communication
• Artefacts that are most digital as well as
  physical, intimate, cultural..
• Opening up a design space through experiments,
  prototypes workshops
• Garments as part of wider user experience design
• Combining two mass media computing and clothing
• Seamful Games showing state and sharing status
  in multiplayer games
• Emotional Wardrobe emotional communication
  between lovers, family

9
Thanks

• U. Glasgow Malcolm Hall, Paul Tennent
• U. Bristol Henk Muller, Ian Anderson and Angus
  Clarke
• Central Saint Martins Sharon Baurley, Philippa
  Brock and Lisa Stead
• EPSRC/AHRB Emotional Wardrobe cluster
• CSM, U. Glasgow, Vodafone, HP Labs, KCL, RCA,
  Imperial, U. Bradford, TechniTex