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.