I’d started a longish entry yesterday tying together a post I’d read that morning over on The Meshverse blog (Link) with an article I’d read on The New York Times website (Link). I was tying them together by integrating a series of posts/comments I’d made earlier regarding what I view to be the future of Product Design (example: reLink) along with a “stellayan” concept example I’d provided some time ago (reLink). Because I don’t feel like spending too much time proofing and editing that post to make it easily digestable, I’ll just quote that example and move on.
For example, imagine that there was one virtual Blackberry that was connected to all the physical versions so that as people were using their devices, their interaction with the user interface was tracked: how many times a button was used, how much pressure was applied to the buttons, aso (this should sound similar but inverted to the kirkyan weapon example I posted recently – reLink). By mapping user interaction from numerous sources, a more efficient interface might be developed which could then be used to automatically modify the CAD model. That updated geometry serves as the 3D template for a new version; an evolving product that is mass-produced.
If you’ve been reading my posts over the last few months the pieces will likely fall into place. If you haven’t…
From a quick scan of that PDF… neither. Without the ability to incorporate a feedback loop and then self-recycle and auto-fabricate, you don’t get either. This doesn’t seem all that different from the feedback gloves that have been around for years. Remember the scene in Johnny Mnemonic? Put the gloves on, virtual versions appear. As the real glove is manipulated, sensors transmit the data to the virtual. It’s one way. Not sure if this Kit is two-way. That would be another thing. And does it store the information locally; both in the real and virtual models? Another question. I need to read the thing rather than scan it. When I have time.
Thanks for pointing it out though. I’m definitely interested in it.
Kirkyan or Stellyan? Or some other freaking thing?
“A Flexible Construction Kit for Interfacing with 3D Geometry“…
“After transmitting the model’s configuration and dynamic
geometry to the desktop computer, the base station
continues to poll the construction kit model for changes.
As the user flexes the model, altering the potentiometer
values that measure angles at the vertices, and occasionally
reconfiguring the strut connections among hubs, the base
station sends updates to the desktop computer. A receiving
application on the desktop computer constructs a software
model of the physical construction that describes the hubs,
their connections among sockets, and angles.”