New Siftables, Change the Way You Work with Digital Media (Video)
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An amazing new prototype called Siftables, developed at the MIT media Lab, merges the worlds of digital media and physical interfaces. The main idea behind them is to get virtual information into your hands (literally) by using a “block-like” natural interface that transcends beyond our prototypical mouse and keyboards. Siftables are designed to be more in tune with the way we actually navigate through the world.
Each Siftable is about the size of a “cookie” that works and feels like you are, in fact, playing with toy blocks. Each block can sense the others as they are moved around and tilted by their user. Essentially, this allows for a type of collaboration between the Siftables so they can work individually and together within their group’s system.
To see Siftables for yourself, simply watch the following video and imagine how, if developed further, such sensing physical objects will change the way we interact with digital media today. For instance, might such technologies help architects to “build” architectural models differently? Or might they allow for a new kind of architectural presentation that you might give to your clients?
Here’s Another Thought on How Siftables Could Impact Your Designs
In the future, architecture could expand upon its interactivity (and adaptability) with such sensing physical interfaces. Just imagine if occupants began to communicate with their environmental surroundings in completely new ways. For example, what if a grouping of Siftables could be shared by occupants, or they allowed for a new type of personalized customization?
So, what future possibilities and current uses would you like to use the Siftables for?
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Interesting post. These “siftables” are interesting to think about in terms of architecture design. I could envision these being used as a sort of “programming” module for clients. Each person in a family (for residential project) or each person in an organization (for a commercial, civic, educational, etc project) has it on their person for a pre-detemined time period and it records data as to how these people interact with each other, what spaces they spend most time in, what their daily habits are, heating and cooling preferences, lighting preferences, etc. The depth of data that could be uncovered is staggering. We as architects can use that in the creation of more efficient designs for our client, because it will be designed specifically around how they live and work.
If I may, another interesting post came out yesterday on BLDGBLOG describing how architecural space can be overlayed with augmented reality in another way of interacting with data and physical space. Link is: http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/homefront-dissolve.html
Interested on your thoughts about this as well. Thanks.
Bob,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, I also can see many uses for these “siftables”. As you describe, technologies similar to these could help with data collection, and furthermore, could serve as a way to better connect our “buildings” with their occupants. With regard to the link you provided…I took a look at the video and I do think the VR/augmented reality “kitchen” is a fascinating study done by that Masters student. I can see both positives and negatives to the future that they portray.
But one thing I would add and tell more designers to focus on is occupant-centered design where we can prevent such VR/augmented reality environments from being spaces people don’t like (and feel good in); hence, an emphasis on what it would mean for us (as humans) to actually “sense” in that type of space — intellectually, emotionally, behaviorally and spiritually.
This is an amazing little device, i can’t wait to get a set and start using it. The possibilities are endless.. especially in a school / educational system / environment! Anyone know when the release date is for these?
Interesting post, however I have to agree with Maria, architects need to focus more on sensory interaction rather object formation (building block analogy). Also, the problem with architects making assumptions from abstract data is that most of our conscious decisions emerge from subconscious (reptilian) responses to the environment which are highly irrational and therefore impossible to calculate. I think the siftables are potentially fantastic learning tools however I’m unconvinced about their practical use in environmental design.
a recent post highlights our professional obsession with ‘object’ over ‘interface’ which is rooted in all the tools we use… http://thred.org/2010/09/user-centred-systems/ Cade