Wei-Lun Hung

The framework of PCB design remains almost unchanged since its invention. Electronics are typically housed inside hard plastic shell, with interface deployed on the surface as assigned area to interact with. However, looking at the exciting technological breakthrough in flexible circuits and conductive materials, I wonder how we can reimagine a new form of electronics?

Through introducing air pressure sensors and flexible PCB, Inflatable Electronics investigates the intersection between inflatables and the emerging domain of soft electronics, where interaction is reinvented by air, and physical interface becomes the skin of the object. The project aims to challenge the materiality of traditional electronics and propose new interactions, aesthetics and product ecology based on the distinct attributes of inflatables.

The outcome consists of four objects that are not necessarily designed as "finished products", but as a demonstration of various potentials arising from this on-going exploration.

The mouse explores mainly the haptic aspect of inflatables, through the interaction vision of squeezing something in the palm. Mechanic clicking is replaced by soft and responsive tapping, and the scrolling is done by tilting the whole palm back or forth. The down-scrolling interface area also serves as the mouse pad. Due to the nature of inflatables and air pressure sensor, the sensitivity of the mouse can be adjusted by the degree of inflation.

The attributes of transformable volume and foldability allow inflatable electronics to be compressed, thus stored and carried easily. I imagined a scenario of outdoor activity, for example a pool party speaker that stays afloat on the water, blending into the playful vibe and fits inside the pocket.

The balloon speculates a future where electronics levitate in the room, forming a landscape of floating interfaces. We interact with them through flicking, slapping, punching, hugging, kicking, blowing or flying them while we move.

This wearable experiments with a peripheral input device that does not depend on fingers. Bending the elbow will squeeze the air inside thus send a signal. It could be applied to any other joints of the body. The compressed air also provides resistance to the muscle, which implies potential in VR/MR gaming or medical purposes like rehabilitation.