RevLock: A Reversible Self-locking Mechanism Driven by Linear Actuators for Foldable Robots and Systems

PhD in Computational Design | UIST 2024
Carnegie Mellon University

Tags: Computational Design, Robotics, Computational Geometry, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Fabrication

We introduce MetaControllers, reconfigurable game-controlling devices that are made of wood sheets. We intend to use this flexible material system to create devices whose configurations can be customized for different games to create context-specific haptic experiences, which cannot otherwise be achieved by traditional game controllers. Our approach exploits cellular-based material structure units consisting of rigid faces and hinges out of one single material. By assembling units together, we can create higher level of mechanical transformations through either embedded actuation or externally applied compression. In this proposal, we show that the different compositions of these units, when coupled with electronics, can enable novel ways of controlling and interacting with the games that provide dynamic physical affordances and guide users with dynamic physical constraints.

UIST Student Innovation Contest - Most Useful Award [paper link]