ECPlotter is a prototyping toolkit for the fabrication of electrochromic displays. By syringe depositing conductive, electrochromic and electrolyte inks, and curing the inks in one step, we can rapidly create displays in a single integrated process. In contrast to existing methods, such as screen-printing, ECPlotter allows for quick early prototyping with minimal human intervention and makes the process more accessible since the fabrication is automated. Our software pipeline enables designers to convert graphics directly into an instruction set that can be interpreted by the printer which includes automatic heat and UV curing passes after ink depositing. Finally, we demonstrate its capabilities by printing on a variety of substrates.

This course is a hands-on introduction to the fabrication of flexible, transparent free-form displays based on electrochromism for an audience with a variety of backgrounds, including artists and designers with no prior knowledge of physical prototyping. Besides prototyping using screen printing or ink-jet printing of electrochromic ink and an easy assembly process, participants will learn essentials for designing and controlling electrochromic displays.

VitaBoot is a footwear concept incorporating dynamic graphical patterns which indicate the wearer's activity level. Whilst shoes are an important element in fashion wear and a lot of research has focused on shoes as input devices, comparable few concepts have explored the potential for their use as an output space. We created a boot design that incorporates dynamic patterning through the use of electrochromic (EC) displays embedded in the surface material. The boot was designed and constructed from scratch, using a faux leather material, ensuring the overall aesthetic of the design, including the integration of the required control electronics and power source. The boot connects wirelessly to a chest-worn heart rate belt, and pattern changes indicate when the wearer's heart rate is above a predefined threshold. VitaBoot demonstrates the potential for dynamic shoe patterning for aesthetic or functional means, and the suitability of flexible, low-power EC display technology in this domain.

Recent innovations in fashion and smart textiles have contributed new visions of wearable computing, addressing the body through the cultural and social self. In this work, we draw on speculative design, maker technologies, and zoomorphism to explore how wearables might support sociability, and present Hooze, a fashion accessory that entices touch through its zoomorphic qualities and visual appearance. We describe our design and prototyping process, and reflect on how Hooze inspires transformative designs of wearables.

In the past, human proxemics research has poorly predicted human robot interaction distances. This paper presents three studies on drone gestures to acknowledge human presence and clarify suitable acknowledging distances. We evaluated four drone gestures based on non-verbal human greetings. The gestures included orienting towards the counterpart and salutation gestures. We tested these individually and in combination to create a feeling of acknowledgement in people. Our users preferred being acknowledged from two meters away but gestures were also effective from four meters. Rotating the drone towards the user elicited a higher degree of acknowledgement than without. We conclude with a set design guidelines for drone gestures.

We observed interactions with The Humming Wall, a vibrotactile and vibroacoustic interactive artifact placed in an urban park. Prior studies have focused on interactivity with primarily vision based systems (or with this system, the interaction between the wall and a wearable vibrotactile vest). Here, we concentrated on the passersby and natural inhabitants' responses and interactions to the vibrotactile-vibroacoustic interactive furniture. We analysed infrared footage from a 6 &1/2 day period. We found longer interaction sequences on different days and times frames with solos, groups and groups with children. We contribute incrementally on confirming findings with prior studies on interactive public displays but in this instance the interactions are with vibro-tactile-acoustic responses. In addition, we innovate with the first study that demonstrates the successful use of a vibrotactile-vibroacoustic interactive artifact in a public space.