Researchers at Disney Research Pittsburg have designed a system that emphasizes the use of light as a means to making 3D-printed prototypes interactive interfaces.
From the team’s website, “Printed Optics is a new approach to creating custom optical elements for interactive devices using 3D printing. Printed Optics enable sensing, display, and illumination elements to be directly embedded in the body of an interactive device. Using these elements, unique display surfaces, novel illumination techniques, custom optical sensors, and robust embedded components can be digitally fabricated for rapid, high fidelity, customized interactive devices… Printed Optics explores the possibilities for this vision afforded by today’s 3D printing technology.”
Eventually the “Printed Optics” project has a “long term vision for the production of interactive devices that are 3D printed in their entirety. Future devices will be fabricated on demand with user-specific form and functionality.”
While this project may just be at the proof of concept stage, I think it’s very exciting, and after having watched the video I’m inspired to keep pushing design forward. Ultimately, I think that’s what projects like this are best at…they inspire people to get back into the act of designing a better future.
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