User Designer

Welcome to the nearly-ready nearly-there future! PaperComp 2010 sounds like a very interesting workshop planned for Ubicomp 2010. Their Call For Papers says “This workshop aims at bringing together researchers exploring the future of printed interfaces and associated practices. It will act as a kick-off event for launching a new research community, articulating how different research lines form a coherent emerging field. The proceedings of the workshop ambition to gather the visions of the most active researchers working on augmented reading practices and paper interfaces.”

Quick gimme an electronic paper origami actuator and we’ll add a splash of haptic interactivity….ooooh H Okuzaki et al., are already there doing that in A Biomorphic Origami Actuator Fabricated by Folding a Conducting Paper. Enjoy.

Shown above is the new Coca-Cola drinks dispensing machine. Originally I was delighted because I thought this was a pure co-creation play from a very well known brand – let people mix, match and completely make up new drink flavors – but apparently its not. Boo. Maybe version 2 will…100+ flavors will just have to do for now. Hello, paradox of choice…?

Life v2.0 – Scientists Create Synthetic Organism. Wonderful and impressive.

Get your dancing shoes! A variation on a well known theme, though still a bit of fun…bang bang bits of a jeep and make a good rhythm.