SecondSkin: Shape-changing materials for HCI – SecondSkin

This project is at the crossroad of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), ergonomics and programmable soft materials, with a connection to interactive arts. Its objective is to enrich user experience with the sense of touch through new tactile shape-changing interfaces, both for enabling new interactions and supporting emotional communication. The project relies on the “SecondSkin” concept, which is the idea that users and objects can wear a skin-like input/output device. This SecondSkin will be made by augmenting a new kind of bio-inspired shape-morphing materials called "Baromorphs" that were recently introduced by one of the partners. We will work on improving these materials and combining them with other technologies to develop novel adaptive/adaptable user interfaces and touch devices for supporting emotional communication. A demonstrator will illustrate these novel interaction capabilities and an artistic production will further investigate SecondSkin potentialities.