Exploratory Studies on Actuated Pixels as a New Kinetic Design Material

In this paper, we explore actuated pixels, a new class of computer-controlled material with kinetic properties, as a new design material. Firstly, we propose an interaction model of actuated pixels. Adapted from the Model-Control-Representation-(intangible and tangible) model of tangible user interfaces, our model shows how actuated pixels can be represented and controlled through their three computational properties, i.e., compositeness, transitiveness, and programmability. Secondly, we propose Kinetic I/O Tiles, a new type of actuated pixels that are reconfigurable and programmable, as a research implementation. Lastly, we share the results from an exploratory user workshop conducted with groups of children, industrial design students, and media art students, in order to examine the interaction model of actuated pixels and to explore their design and interaction possibilities. Actuated pixels enable us to envisage a future wherein the surfaces of everyday objects and spaces can serve as interactive kinetic displays. It is expected that this study will motivate and inspire designers to explore the design space of actuated pixels not only to enhance the appearance of everyday surfaces but also to enrich our interactions with them.