Interactive Devices: Lab 2 Group Post - Final Idea

Following our discussion during the last workshop Amir went on a hunt to find an idea for our interactive device. After much research, and his passion of solving puzzles, he came up with the idea of creating an interactive Rubik’s cube.

The idea is to be able to control your computer using a Rubik’s cube. This includes simple tasks such as zooming in or scrolling down when reading a paper, unlocking your laptop using certain combinations, controlling a 3D simulation, etc.

Amir purchased couple of Rubik’s cubes and held a meeting with rest of us the next day. Everyone was on board and very excited about the idea. During the meeting he disassembled one of the cubes to explain to the group how we might go about designing the cube.
We then went to the HCI lab and pitched our idea to some of the research assistants and got positive feedback and techniques in which we can refine our device.

The uses of this device vary from accessing media player to scrolling pages on a web browser or even controlling a 3D simulation. The way it differs from keyboard or mouse is that first it’s wireless, second it can be personalised to suit users’ needs and third its just a fun way of interacting with your computer.

The device moves us away from WIMP interfaces and provides an opportunity to users to personalise the way they interact with their personal computers. The idea can further be extended such that the cube becomes more than just a controller; the cube itself can be a personal device where each of the 27 smaller cubes are screens. Then it can be used to do things like answering your calls, an alarm clock or even checking your emails.

This is the list of materials we are going to need for the completion of the project:

1. Encoders from Trackball Mice
2. Transparent Acrylics
3. RGB LEDs
4. Arduino Board
5. Buttons