The framework of PCB design remains almost unchanged since its invention. In recent years there’s been exciting technological breakthrough in flexible circuits and conductive materials. PCBs are becoming soft and flexible, while the body of electronics remain rigid. The products we have now don’t seem to capture the value and potential of such breakthrough. So how can we reimagine a new form of soft 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.
Electronics are typically housed inside hard plastic shell, with interface deployed on the surface as assigned area to interact with. By using the air inside the inflatable as a mean of input, the interface is integrated as the body itself, and the PCB can be built directly underneath the surface.
Welding lines inside the closed shape of inflatable create chambers that isolate different input. The air pressure sensor deployed in each chamber is connected by the flexible PCB adhered to the inflatable plastic, and programmed as finite-state machine in order to output a series of specific functions, for example gradually increase the volume or activate a left double mouse click.
The copper-based, flexible PCB not only allows the circuit to go through the welding lines, but also completes the concept of a product that is designed and fabricated in 2D and transforms into a 3D object while in use. The interplay of how air goes in and gives volume to an originally flat design and form a shape that affords interaction inspires a very interesting approach.
Inflatable Electronics: Mouse
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 even be adjusted based on the degree of inflation.
Inflatable Electronics: Speaker
The attributes of the transformable volume and flexibility of the material allow inflatable electronics to be compressed, folded, thus stored and carried easily. I imagined a scenario of outdoor activity, for example a pool party speaker that stays afloat on the water, and also fits easily inside the pocket.
Inflatable Electronics: Balloon
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.
Inflatable Electronics: Wearable Peripheral
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.
Process & Prototypes
After a series of material exploration and experimental making, I developed this fabrication process of inflatable electronics. The goal is to quickly prototype instead of pursuing super polished and perfectly functional product. From printing, etching to populating and welding, the set of tools and method that are used is concluded as the most accessible and adaptable.
Inflatable Electronics: making process
Inflatable Electronics: prototypes and experiments
