Thanks to Rudy’s 3GSM intensive wrap-up post, I discover radius, a rollable display… just after I post: origami PC :) I still believe in my ’soft wear’, my blanket-computer!

Polymer Vision says:

From a technology perspective, ‘mobility’ is no longer new. The world is already ‘mobile’. What is changing is the breadth and depth of that mobility, and in particular the volume and speed of data being distributed into this worldwide mobile community. The demand for data “anytime, anyplace, anywhere” and the hunger of mobile users to be constantly InTouch, InFormed and InControl is changing the underlying mechanics of the mobile industry. Mobile TV, Mobile Internet and Mobile Advertising are rapidly evolving over the already available mobile content. Instant, ubiquitous availability of personally selected mobile content is the order of the day.
Most of the technologies required to enable this next mobile generation are evolving as quickly as the opportunities themselves. While these include 3G & mobile broadband communication networks, high-density memory modules and powerful low power IC’s, one key factor remains unsolved. That is the subsequent consumer demand for larger displays in smaller, more powerful, “pocket” devices. This of course is an impossible task for today’s display technologies based on glass substrates.
Solving this problem is what Polymer Vision is all about, and why our Mission is quite simply to put rollable displays into every mobile device.

How do you make a rollable display?

Via eyebeam reblog… As described in the original website:

A jacket for sleeping on public transportation is the concept for this project. During research I learned that people can sleep when their bodies are held in a rigid state as opposed to only a soft and yielding state - similar to most beds. I applied this concept to the Excubo jacket - a jacket that transforms into a firm and protective shell around the user.

Image from Matthew Gale’s website:

Why? Gear for the traveler… Would be nice to integrate a sleeping mask to it, or have it detachable so to adapt it to other jackets… or?

I hyperlinked to Origami Tessellations, Eric Gjerde’s musings on origami, tessellations, geometry, design, and art to find this post on an intriguing origami PC by Tomohiro Tachi (image from his website + manipulated):

The image brought to mind the topic of ubiquitous computing… and probably because I am working on a wearable… I think this image illustrates perfectly the idea that a computer does NOT need to be encased in a plastic/aluminum box… Material, material… Imagine having a blanket-computer?! Sure… I like origami art, because of the fold, portability, lightness…

Super interview of Cati in we make money not art!

I had students of the Digital + Mobilities seminar read an excerpt of Sherry Turkle, Life on the Screen: identity in the age of the Internet (New York: Touchstone, 1997) and bring in visuals to complement the readings so to further the discussion/debate. As I was googling to look for the “if you don’t have it, you’re a loser” image (I like the sarcasm) that P.K. brought to our attention as it triggers a reflection on identity mediated by the machine, I came across this still photograph of the movie Garden State, 2004*:

Which triggers even more ideas about ubiquitous computing, identity and the electronic/electric influx…. And that reminded me very much of the practicables of Coucou Bazar, an “animated painting” by Jean Dubuffet:

The Touch Sensitive Apparel , work in progress Cati and I are working on, has been accepted to CHI2007 (Computer Human Interaction conference). See you in San Jose ;)

Touch·Sensitive is a haptic apparel that allows massage therapy to be diffused, customized and controlled by people while on the move. It provides individuals with a sensory cocoon. Made of modular garments, Touch·Sensitive applies personalized stimuli. We present the design process and a series of low fidelity prototypes that lead us to the Touch·Sensitive Apparel.

Sensuous Gear
Kinetic Elite
Guilt
Ergonomics