Bits and pieces of December 2011

Mitsubishi Electric’s EMIRAI concept car interface, link
Introduction of shape changing buttons. Not exactly ground breaking, but it’s nice to see it being pushed toward mainstream.

Feel Screens from Senseg, link, video
By passing an ultra-low electrical current into the insulated electrode, Senseg’s Tixel™, the proprietary charge driver can create a small attractive force to finger skin. By modulating this attractive force a variety of sensations can be generated, from textured surfaces and edges to vibrations and more.

The Braille-It Labeler from MIT, link
Very interesting Blind-Lead Technology Initiative from MIT. A sure keeper for resources on making (simple) tech for blind people.

NOWNESS, link
Performance Artist Christine Sun Kim explores sonic media without the benefit of hearing. She finds how to make its presence more physical, to find greater dimensions of movement, and to make a personal connection beyond what most of us might find in the everyday sense. As she describes it to NOWNESS.

Lego Technic Idea Books: Fantastic Contraptions, Simple Machines, and Wheeled Wonders
This seems like an inspiring example of documenting mechanical contraptions and tangible project builds. I just ordered the three books, and can’t wait to explore them! Found via Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

CS277 – Experimental Haptics course at Stanford, link
Good educational resources + lectures for intro to haptics, from a CS perspective.