Papers

TEI 2008
Conference on Tangible and
Embedded interaction
Bonn, Germany
February 18 - 20, 2008
2008 ACM Press

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SpeakCup: Simplicity, BABL, and Shape Change

Jamie Zigelbaum, Angela Chang, James Gouldstone, Joshua Jen Monzen, and Hiroshi Ishii
Tangible Media Group
MIT Media Laboratory

zig[at]media.mit.edu
anjchang[at]media.mit.edu
jimbones[at]media.mit.edu
jjmonzon[at]media.mit.edu
ishii[at]media.mit.edu



ABSTRACT

In this paper we present SpeakCup, a simple tangible interface that uses shape change to convey meaning in its interaction design. SpeakCup is a voice recorder in the form of a soft silicone disk with embedded sensors and actuators. Advances in sensor technology and material science have provided new ways for users to interact with computational devices. Rather than issuing commands to a system via abstract and multi-purpose buttons the door is open for more nuanced and application-specific approaches. Here we explore the coupling of shape and action in an interface designed for simplicity while discussing some questions that we have encountered along the way.