djfitz – Tangible Interfaces https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834 MAS.834 Sun, 05 Feb 2017 17:11:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/09/cropped-TIlogoB-02-copy2-32x32.png djfitz – Tangible Interfaces https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834 32 32 Daniel Fitzgerald https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/2016/09/15/daniel-fitzgerald/ Thu, 15 Sep 2016 22:18:31 +0000 https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/?p=5574 Greetings!

My Name is Daniel Fitzgerald. I am a second year masters student in the Tangible Media Group. Before coming to the Media Lab, I completed my B.A. at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, double majoring in Robotics Engineering and Computer Science. I use my engineering skills to make new force-controlled Shape Displays and other RobotsTangible Interfaces. I also invented laser vision. Here’s to a great semester of learning, designing, brainstorming, crafting, and teamwork! I will be helping to teach the technology workshops and assisting with electronics, mechanical, software, and fabrication.

]]> inFLux: A Magneto-rheological Material Display https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/2015/12/10/influx-a-magneto-rheological-material-display/ Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:44:30 +0000 https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/?p=5466 inFlux , extended abstract

]]> Smart Pillow https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/2015/10/26/smart-pillow/ Mon, 26 Oct 2015 20:00:41 +0000 https://courses.media.mit.edu/2016fall/mas834/?p=4773 Our exploration of the Radical Atoms theme, utilizing pneumatic soft actuation and sensing, led us to develop an interactive “smart” pillow. Smart Pillow is a pillow that transforms based on user’s needs and emotions. It can sense pressure in different contexts to interact with the user by changing shape.

The pillow has three specific modes of interaction:

  • Automatic shape adjustment during sleep for maximum comfort: The Smart Pillow senses areas of high-pressure, and reduces its inflation accordingly to relieve pressure areas. Meanwhile, it detects areas of low pressure and inflates them more, matching the contour of the user’s head and neck to distribute support evenly.
Sleeping comfortably on the self-adjusting smart pillow.

Sleeping comfortably on the self-adjusting smart pillow.

  • Sleeping/Reading Context Switching: When the user tries to sit up in a reading position, differences in pressure across the entire pillow activate a wedge-shaped pouch for the perfect bed reading ergonomics. When the user is done and wants to sleep, sliding down on the pillow reactivates sleep mode.
Reading on the self-adjusting smart pillow

Reading on the self-adjusting smart pillow.

  • Tactile Emotional Support: When the user clutched Smart Pillow in worry and despair, Smart Pillow gives the user a hug of reassurance and consolation.
Hugreciprocation with the lovable smart pillow.

Hug reciprocation with the lovable smart pillow.

The first prototype of Smart Pillow has undergone successful initial testing.

Future versions are recommended to incorporate:

  • emotional sensing and response
  • user personalization
  • reading illumination
  • telepresence sleeping
  • bedtime story tangible augmentation
  • wake alarm functionality
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