d e s i g n

o u t p u t . o r i g a m i

THE DANCING PAPER: INTERACTIVE ORIGAMI WITH EMBEDDED INTELLIGENCE

Origami comes to life with this innovative system where a red controller paper senses its own folds and guides a white output paper to follow suit. The magic lies in the integration of a microcontroller and circuitry within the red paper, enabling it to communicate movement to the white paper through shape memory alloy. This delicate interplay between sensing and actuation creates a mesmerizing performance—where blintz folding techniques allow the paper to rise, wobble, and even flip itself over. It’s not just about folding; it’s about giving paper a mind of its own.

This project redefines the boundaries of digital fabrication and kinetic design by blending traditional paper art with modern responsive materials. By embedding intelligence into the medium itself, we create an interactive experience that invites us to rethink how materials respond to external forces. The result is a fusion of craft and technology—an elegant balance between control and spontaneity, where each fold transforms a simple sheet into an active, moving structure.

ORIGAMI: FROM ART TO ENGINEERING

Origami, an ancient Japanese art, has found new life in engineering, thanks to the groundbreaking work of researchers like Dr. Robert Lang and Prof. Larry Howell. Dr. Lang, a physicist and one of the world’s foremost origami theorists, has applied folding principles to everything from telescope lenses to medical stents. His work has influenced NASA’s designs for foldable solar panels, ensuring that large structures can be compacted for space travel and easily deployed once in orbit.

Prof. Larry Howell, a mechanical engineer at Brigham Young University, specializes in compliant mechanisms—devices that achieve motion through flexibility rather than rigid parts. His research has led to origami-inspired surgical tools and deployable structures that transform with a single motion. Origami’s scalability makes it ideal for both large-scale applications, like architecture, and micro-scale innovations, such as biomedical implants. The ability to create complex, functional structures from a single sheet of material proves that this centuries-old art form is now a crucial tool in modern engineering.

PRINTABLE ORIGAMI ROBOTS: ENGINEERING ON THE SMALLEST SCALE

Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a groundbreaking self-folding origami robot, marking a major step in soft robotics and automation. Led by Professor Daniela Rus, the team designed a tiny, printable robot that starts as a flat sheet of plastic and, when heated, folds itself into a functional machine. Weighing just one-third of a gram and measuring a centimeter in length, the robot can swim, climb inclines, traverse rough terrain, and even carry twice its own weight.

The innovation builds upon the work of Erik Demaine, a computational origami expert at MIT, whose research explores algorithmic folding techniques. The self-folding robot demonstrates the potential for autonomous, lightweight machines that can be used in medical procedures, search-and-rescue missions, and even space exploration. By leveraging heat-activated materials and precise folding patterns, MIT’s team has created a robotic system that is inexpensive, scalable, and capable of performing complex tasks without external mechanical components.

SELF-FOLDING ORIGAMI: THE FUTURE OF DESIGN

MIT’s self-folding origami technology is revolutionizing design by enabling objects to assemble and transform themselves without human intervention. This concept, pioneered by researchers like Daniela Rus and Erik Demaine, has far-reaching applications, from safer airbags that deploy more efficiently to adaptive clothing and wearable devices. By incorporating programmable materials and digital fabrication, these structures can respond dynamically to environmental changes, making them ideal for use in healthcare, aerospace, and robotics.

One key breakthrough in this field is the use of shape memory polymers, materials that can change shape when triggered by heat, light, or electricity. This eliminates the need for traditional hinges or fasteners, allowing for seamless, fluid transformations. Imagine medical implants that adjust to a patient’s body, emergency shelters that unfold instantly, or robotic systems that morph into new forms based on their surroundings. MIT’s research is paving the way for a future where objects can adapt and self-assemble with intelligence built directly into their materials.

400 UMBRELLAS DANCING LIKE A FLOCK OF BIRDS

A stunning fusion of technology, design, and kinetic art, this project brings together 400 umbrellas programmed to move like a flock of birds. Created by Sosolimited, Hypersonic, and Plebian, the installation is a mesmerizing display of synchronized motion, where each umbrella opens, closes, and tilts in perfect harmony. The team used software simulations and origami-inspired mechanics to craft a structure that responds dynamically, evoking the fluid movement of birds in flight.

The project showcases the power of computational design in interactive art, transforming everyday objects into a captivating visual spectacle. Programmers and designers worked together to develop custom algorithms that control the umbrellas, ensuring seamless, organic movement. This installation is not just an artistic statement but also a testament to the intersection of engineering, digital fabrication, and creative expression.

i n p u t . g l o v e

RENEE VERHOEVEN – REDEFINING GLOVE DESIGN THROUGH MATERIAL EXPLORATION

Renee Verhoeven is a designer with a keen eye for material experimentation and an interest in pushing the limits of traditional fashion accessories. Her series The Anatomy of the Hand was born from the challenge set by the "Craft the Leather" competition, where participants had to create an accessory using leather. Instead of following conventional glove-making techniques, Verhoeven embraced an architectural and anatomical approach, treating leather as an extension of human skin. Her designs explore the material’s flexibility, fit, and texture, resulting in gloves that resemble organic structures rather than mere fashion accessories.

By incorporating laser cutting, pleating, leather molding, and minimal seam construction, she transformed gloves into sculptural yet functional objects. She imposed a personal challenge to create some gloves using only one seam, letting the material dictate the final structure. The use of thicker leather than typically used in gloves forced her to develop new construction techniques, balancing durability with comfort. Through a process of trial and error, Verhoeven’s designs highlight the adaptability of leather, proving that experimental craftsmanship can redefine even the most familiar fashion items.

DIY FLEX SENSING GLOVE – FROM VELOSTAT SENSORS TO ROBOTIC CONTROL

This innovative flex sensing glove is a DIY solution for robotic control, utilizing Velostat, a pressure-sensitive conductive material, to create affordable and adaptable flex sensors. By strategically placing Velostat strips along the fingers, the glove accurately detects hand movements and translates them into data. Unlike commercial flex sensors, which can be expensive, Velostat-based sensors offer a cost-effective alternative for makers and researchers looking to explore human-computer interaction and wearable tech.

The captured motion data is used to control a 3D-printed robotic arm, enabling precise hand-to-machine communication. When the wearer moves their fingers, the glove sends electrical signals to a microcontroller, which then translates these movements into corresponding actions in the robotic arm. This project demonstrates the potential of low-cost materials in creating functional, interactive systems, bridging the gap between DIY electronics, robotics, and assistive technology.

t h e . g l o v e

For the initial design of the glove, I began by drawing the outline of my hand on paper and added an external gap for sewing. I used skin-colored lycra fabric to sew the glove, which gave an interesting and promising result, but it lacked the accuracy needed for proper fit and sensor placement.

To improve the precision, I took a photo of the hand drawing and imported it into CorelDRAW, where I added the sewing gap digitally and prepared the pattern for laser cutting.

Although this method was more technical, the resulting glove still didn’t fit perfectly. In the end, I chose to sew the glove directly on my hand, using it as a live model, which allowed me to achieve a much better fit and alignment.

f l e x . s e n s o r s

Flex sensors are commonly used to detect bending and movement, and they typically come in a standardized rectangular shape designed for general applications.

However, creating self-made flex sensors using conductive fabric and velostat offers the advantage of full customization. This approach allows you to design sensor shapes tailored to specific needs—such as fitting different finger sizes or integrating with unique wearable forms—making them especially useful for personalized wearable projects where adaptability and form-fitting design are crucial.

To create the shapes for the flex sensors, I designed one side of the pattern using the B-Spline tool to achieve smooth, organic curves.

Once the first part was complete, I mirrored it horizontally to create a symmetrical second half, ensuring both sides matched perfectly. To enhance the visual design and add a decorative element, I included a series of small circular holes along the surface, giving the sensor a more refined and crafted appearance.

I measured the size of each finger to ensure that the flex sensors fit accurately and comfortably, adjusting their length and shape to match the anatomy of the hand. In the final layout, I placed the shapes for cutting the conductive fabric on the left side and the shapes for the velostat on the right side. The velostat pieces are intentionally made slightly larger than the conductive fabric to prevent short circuits by avoiding direct contact between the conductive layers.

o r i g a m i . t e s s e l l a t i o n

To create origami structures more easily, it’s very helpful to begin with a digital drawing of a tessellation pattern.

One of the most effective tools for this is origamisimulator.org, which allows you to explore and simulate various origami folding patterns. The platform provides several pre-set designs that can be customized as SVG vector files.

These files are perfect for use in digital fabrication, allowing precise cutting or scoring of fold lines on different materials, which makes the physical creation of origami structures faster, more accurate, and adaptable to your project needs.

o r i g a m i s i m u l a t o r

In addition to generating 2D vector files, origamisimulator.org also allows users to export 3D models of the folded structures. This feature is especially useful for digital fabrication, as the 3D model can be downloaded and prepared for 3D printing.

By exporting the folded geometry as an STL file, it becomes possible to bring complex origami forms into the physical world using additive manufacturing. This opens up creative opportunities to explore rigid versions of traditionally foldable designs, or to use the forms as molds, structural elements, or artistic pieces in a wide range of projects.

m e c h a n i s m

One of the most inspiring examples that sparked my interest in combining origami with mechanisms is the HORTUS BIONICA project by Studio Samira Boon.

This series of adaptive textile installations reimagines how public spaces can respond to the environment through shape-shifting origami structures. With the help of digital fabrication and embedded sensors, elements like the "sonic blossom" and "proxi flower" physically open and close, mimicking natural organisms and responding to stimuli like sound or proximity. The installations create a unique intersection between design, nature, and technology, turning indoor spaces into living, breathing ecosystems that adapt to the people within them.

What fascinated me most was how Studio Samira Boon manages to make origami not just decorative, but also functional and interactive. Their work demonstrates how folding patterns can become smart architectural elements that improve acoustics, modulate light, or even create private zones in open spaces.

The creation of the mechanism was a collaborative process that started with modeling in ArchiCad together with Fab Lab Engineer Rudolf Igityan. We worked together to design the overall structure and define the mechanical logic of movement. Once the base model was ready, I exported the necessary parts and moved to CorelDRAW to make the final adjustments and optimizations for laser cutting.

In Corel, I refined the cutting paths, adjusted the dimensions for material thickness, and designed the missing structural and decorative elements needed to complete the mechanism. This process allowed us to move smoothly from digital design to physical fabrication, combining precise engineering with creative freedom.

To design and make the bolts and nuts for the mechanism joints, I used FreeCAD’s Fasteners Workbench, which provides a library of standard mechanical components like ISO bolts, nuts, and washers. I selected the appropriate fasteners based on the mechanical needs of each joint, adjusting key parameters such as thread size, length, and head type to match the design. I inserted them into the assembly using FreeCAD's placement tools and aligned them precisely with the connection holes. This allowed me to simulate realistic joints and ensure mechanical compatibility across the entire mechanism.

A key part of my process was using parametric design. I created a spreadsheet within FreeCAD to define and control critical dimensions such as hole diameters, bolt lengths, and spacing between components. By linking the fasteners and other parts of the model to these spreadsheet values, I was able to make global changes easily—adjusting one parameter automatically updated all dependent elements.

This approach ensured flexibility during the design process and made it simple to experiment with variations or scale the mechanism while maintaining consistency and proper fit of all fasteners.